The saga of the San Francisco Bay oil spill continues.
Even our marina, well south of Hunters Point in South Bay, is being affected. Blotchy oil sheens dot the water between the docks. The winter migratory birds, grebes, scoters and coots, are still feeding in our narrow fairways. Hopefully they will stay here in south bay and well away from the hideous death that awaits them in the main part of San Francisco Bay. The incoming photos of the oiled birds are heartbreaking.
One of the great pleasures of boating here on the bay is observing the wild life, especially around Hunters Point where the current is swift and the water is shallow. It's a favorite spot for fishermen, although I don't think I would eat anything that comes out of the water near the polluted ex-Navy Ship Yard. Anyway, we often see the cormorants, pelicans and terns diving just around the corner from where the fishing fleet is anchored. The birds always know where the fish are, but it seems that the fishermen don't get the memo.
Frequently, when boating in winter, we come across great flocks of coots. They scurry across the surface of the water to get out of our way. The flock flaps and flutters a few hundred yards, then settles back on the water directly in front of us. When we reach the flock again, they scurry away but never really get out of our path. Sometimes we unintentionally chase the same flock for a mile or more.
We have canceled our cruise to Jack London Square for the weekend. The floating oil is reported to stain hulls and ruin bottom paint. Instead, my friend Jean and I are heading up to Aquatic Park to volunteer our services in the monumental task of cleaning up the beach there. I don't know how the marshes along Richardson Bay will be cleaned. The sticky oil clings to everything it comes in contact with. It may take months for this issue to be resolved.
Now the San Francisco Chronicle is saying that the pilot on board the Cosco Busan has had previous incidents. Pointing a finger of blame does not resolve the issue. Accidents just happen, no matter how well prepared we are.
There have been other oil spills in the bay, most recently in the mid 1980s when 482,000 gallons of oil leaked from one of the storage tanks at the Shell refinery in Martinez. In January 1971, 800,00 gallons were set free when two Standard Oil tankers collided in the fog under the Golden Gate Bridge. The largest spill took place in 1937 when more than 2 million gallons were spilled after two ships collided, again in heavy fog.
Hopefully, clean-up volunteers will make short work of this unfortunate incident. The spill affects all of us who live on or around San Francisco Bay. I pray that the death toll of wildlife will be minimal. Even losing one bird to human error is one too many.
