NEW YORK— A unified command was established Tuesday, consisting of the Coast Guard, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and Monmouth County, New Jersey, in response to reports of tar balls in the vicinity of Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park in Long Branch, New Jersey.
Coast Guard Sector New York received initial reports of tar balls ranging in size from approximately 1-2 inches and smaller near Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park on Tuesday morning and dispatched pollution response personnel to investigate. Additionally, Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City conducted an overflight of the area to identify any oil pollution in the water. No oil was observed in the water during the flight.
The Coast Guard has opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund in order to swiftly initiate response actions, and an oil spill removal organization (OSRO) has begun shoreline assessment and clean up.
Crews are working to assess both shoreline and waterway impacts from Sea Bright, New Jersey to Long Branch Beach, New Jersey, and additional personnel are investigating to determine the source of the tar balls.
Beach goers and mariners are advised to avoid contact with the tar balls. Anyone who notices any tar balls or oil sheen in the area should contact the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.
There are no reports of impacted wildlife at this time.