Traffic & Transit

Oil Spill Traced To Vessel Docked In Newport Harbor

An oil sheen was first spotted at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the water at Newport Harbor.

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — An oil spill off Newport Beach has been traced back to a vessel docked at Newport Harbor, authorities said Sunday.

An oil sheen was first spotted at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the water at Newport Harbor, according to Carrie Braun, director of public affairs and community engagement for the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies were unable to find the source of the spill due to darkness, Braun said. At first light Sunday, however, they were able to trace the spill back to a vessel docked at the harbor and notify the ship's owner, she added.

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Deputies employed an oil spill boom on Sunday to keep the spill from flowing, she said.
It was not immediately known how much oil was spilled, said Braun, adding that the cost of the clean-up effort will come from the pockets of the vessel's owner.