A beach at California’s Point Reyes National Seashore has been temporarily closed after a 58-foot fishing vessel carrying approximately 1,000 gallons of diesel ran aground, prompting a coordinated response from federal, state and local agencies. The vessel, named Lake Bay, ran aground at North Beach in Marin County early Friday, according to the US Coast Guard. Officials closed the beach to the public to give emergency crews room to work safely and without interference.
The US Coast Guard and National Park Service established a unified command to manage the incident. Marin County Fire, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response are also supporting the operation. The Lake Bay has a maximum fuel capacity of 2,800 gallons and was reported to have about 1,000 gallons of diesel aboard when it ran aground.
Officials are coordinating with the vessel’s owner and a contracted salvage company to safely remove the fuel from the boat. The Coast Guard said its priorities are protecting responders and the public, stabilizing the vessel and limiting potential environmental damage.
Despite concerns about the amount of diesel aboard, authorities said there were no reported injuries, active fuel leaks or wildlife impacts at the time of the latest update. Responders are continuing to monitor the site for pollution and other risks.
North Beach will remain closed while salvage and fuel-removal operations continue. Visitors have been asked to stay away from the area so crews can work safely. The cause of the grounding remains under investigation.
"Our top priorities are ensuring the safety of the first responders and the public, stabilizing the incident, and limiting environmental impacts," Lt. Cmdr. Carey Lewis, the Coast Guard’s incident commander, said in a press release.
"Responders are continuously monitoring and evaluating the site for pollution and any potential risk factors so we can approach operations with intention to minimize environmental impacts."
The incident has drawn attention because Point Reyes National Seashore is a protected coastal area. For now, officials are focused on safely removing the diesel, stabilizing the vessel and limiting potential environmental impacts.
