NJDEP

Morris Canal Oil Spill

The fuel barge at Liberty Harbor on the north side of Morris Canal in Jersey City partially sunk on Sunday morning. 

The U.S. Coast Guard sent a boat out in -2 degrees Fahrenheit to investigate. An oil containment boom was placed around the barge and in the afternoon two pumps started dewatering the hull, which lasted into the night.

Overnight, tenants at an adjacent marina reported strong fuel odors and saw that their boats were surrounded by diesel.

NJDEP and Ken's Marine, a HAZMAT/emergency oil spill/clean-up service responded to contain the spill and boomed off all nearby docks.

The spill was reported by NBC News on their 5pm broadcast. The barge owner declined to be interviewed, and the clean-up is ongoing.