Oil spill group gets high marks

A boon in business is not the type of expansion one likes to see when the task at hand is preventing oil spills.

Nevertheless, because of an ability to answer the call and control the scene, Islands’ Oil Spill Association finds its value on the rise. This is particularly so because the number of sinking boats, oil sheens and hazardous materials spills hit an all-time high in local waters last year, according to IOSA director Julie Knight.

Knight told San Juan County commissioners two weeks ago that IOSA’s credibility with the U.S. Coast Guard continues to grow. More and more, she said, Coast Guard officials are relying on the volunteer group for first-line defense against real or potential pollution in waters that surround San Juan County.

“The longer you’re around, the more they come to trust you,” Knight said of the maturing relationship. “At the same time I think our capabilities are getting better and better.”

Launched in 1985, IOSA was actively responding to prevent and clean up spills three years later. The non-profit organization now boasts about 3000 volunteers with a core group of roughly 65 certified oil-spill responders. It’s governed by a 14-member board of directors and stays afloat through a mish-mash of federal, state and local funds, and contract fees from private and public agencies. For the past three years, the county has contributed $9,000 per year for maintenance of equipment stationed locally.

Still, Knight said recent acclaim and the Association’s resources are not enough to replace the group’s 27-foot landing craft, the Blue Heron, now three years past its scheduled retirement. Though several offers have been received, none fit the group’s budget or specialized on-the-water needs and required landing capability.

“It’s gotta’ move fast, be able to tow well, have a lot of room on deck, and be able to land,” she said.

IOSA responded to 38 incidents involving cleanup or the prevention of potential pollution in 2002, five more than the 33 responses the year before. During the past 15 years, IOSA has responded to 333 incidents and assisted or conducted 71 pollution cleanups.

“As you might expect, human error and mechanical failure are the leading cause of accidents,” she said. “But often, the people who hit these rocks have been there many times before, but like on the road, it just takes a momentary lapse.”

The record year’s work load included dealing with an uncommon series of three boating mishaps within one week. Two of three boats, which collectively carried thousands of gallons of bunker fuel, started to sink following collisions with rocks below the water. The other began taking on water south of Cattle Pass near Lopez Island after an exhaust line ruptured. By itself, the Malibu, a 100-foot wooden yacht which struck a rock in Wasp Pass near Yellow Island carried about 2,500 gallons.

“It’s disheartening a bit to see this list,” Commissioner Darcie Nielsen said of the documentation of IOSA activity. “You hear about the big ones in the press but it’s like ‘wow’ to see all that’s happening.”

Knight credits the team of dedicated volunteers for the group’s accomplishments and growing stature. After 15 years at the helm, she said people remains the key to IOSA’s success.

“The most amazing thing to me is the level of dedication our responders have,” she said. “They’re always there.”

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