NYCkayaker Benzene Tanker

[mike]

Good move, caution  and reporting is always the best strategy, let the
experts determine what is or isn't a hazard. Take pictures all the
times, you never know what will show up on the picture that you did not
notice when you were there.

 I think it was river keeper or the original Hudson river group(
http://riverkeeper.org/ourstory_index.php) they  reported  the illegal
drainage from the factories  along the river. They also caught the ships
draining their bilges in the river and refilling with fresh water to
sell back in their homeport.  I know I don't have the facts quite right,
but that is the gist of the actions. They were quite a direct action
group, folk lore has it when they informed the business that they were
illegally dumping into the Hudson and didn't get a response or a fix,  a
environmental beaver  would damn up the illegal pipes outflow. This
caused flooding and damage to the business, but they couldnt report it
since they didn't want to be exposed  and fined for the illegal dumping
.  

 

-----Original Message-----
From: nyckayaker-bounces at rockandwater.net
[mailto:nyckayaker-bounces at rockandwater.net] On Behalf Of Erik Baard
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 10:44 AM
To: Erik Baard
Cc: nyckayaker; cyberharbor at treebranch.com
Subject: Re: NYCkayaker Benzene Tanker

 

Just got word from CG Lt. J.G. Campagnini that the tanker will be
investigated if it's still in port. She said that this incident might
have not been a leak, but rather an illegal venting of holding tanks in
port. I'll keep you informed of any outcome.

Erik Baard

http://www.licboathouse.org <http://www.licboathouse.org/> 
http://www.naturecalendar.com


 






-------- Original Message --------
Subject: NYCkayaker Benzene Tanker
From: Erik Baard <erik at baard.com>
Date: Mon, July 09, 2007 10:32 am
To: nyckayaker <nyckayaker at rockandwater.net>, 
cyberharbor at treebranch.com

Hi All,

 

The LIC Community Boathouse had a great harbor trip on Saturday, roving
from LIC to Port Liberte, NJ, to Red Hook and Governors Island (just
checking the dock -- thanks Jim and DTBH!) before returning to LIC. 

 

During our crossing we came upon a large tanker flying a red flag
(warning of explosives) that bore warnings about benzene on its side (no
flames, cancer risk, etc.). Some of you might recall that this petroleum
product is suspected of fostering a cancer node around the Greenpoint,
Brooklyn underground oil spill seaping  into the Newtown Creek. 

 

When we passed on the north and northeast side of tanker we were
overwhelmed by a strong smell like that of fresh paint.  A strong
petrochemical plume in the air. 

I can't imagine how bad this must be for the crew, but how broad an
environmental impact might this have? How common are such leaks? 

 

I know I should report this to 311 and the CG, but I'd appreciate some
wisdom regarding how common this kind of event might be, or if this was
an event at all -- maybe it's impossible to fully contain such gases?

 

Best regards,

 

Erik


Erik Baard

http://www.licboathouse.org <http://www.licboathouse.org/> 
http://www.naturecalendar.com <http://www.naturecalendar.com/> 

 

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