Oil spill in new bedford harbor reportedly linked to offshore wind project supply vessel

New Bedford, MA – The U.S. Coast Guard said crews responded Tuesday evening to an oil spill in New Bedford Harbor after an offshore supply vessel leaked fuel during an internal transfer operation.

Officials with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) and the Coast Guard estimated that about 216 gallons of marine diesel entered the water before the discharge was secured. Containment booms and absorbent pads were deployed quickly to stop the spread and recover the oil.

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The Coast Guard credited a rapid response involving MADEP, New Bedford Fire and Police Departments, the Harbormaster, and Frank Corp. for preventing further damage to the busy commercial harbor.

The vessel involved was reportedly working in connection with the Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm project, though authorities have not released the ship’s name.

Cleanup operations remained underway Wednesday as environmental teams monitored the site. No injuries were reported.

Key Points

Coast Guard says 216 gallons of marine diesel spilled into New Bedford Harbor Tuesday evening.
The spill happened during a fuel transfer on an offshore supply vessel tied to the Vineyard Wind project.
Containment booms and absorbent pads were deployed; cleanup operations are ongoing.

A routine fuel transfer turned into a hazardous spill that briefly stained one of America’s busiest fishing ports. It has not been independently confirmed if the ship was tied to the offshore wind farm project.

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