The US Coast guard says so far it seems that a small oil spill near the mouth of the Piscataqua River has been totally cleaned up before it could reach the shore.
The spill came from oily water held in a tank aboard the research catamaran Ferdinand R. Hassler, after it had been used on the ship.
That tank holds up to 750 gallons, but was only partially full.
The ship’s owner, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is still working to determine how much was spilled.
The Coast Guard has yet to find any trace of oil on the shoreline north or south of the spill.
“The boom remains around the vessel and the oily water that was discharged has been collected using vaccum trucks and skimmers,” says Lieutenant Scott McCann
McCann says the cleanup was helped by favorable tides and winds.
Agencies, including the state Department of Environmental Services and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, sent personnel and equipment to the scene. The Coast Guard says at least one vessel anchored nearby appears to have been affected by the oil.
NOAA spokesman David L. Hall said the NOAA is investigating the incident to prevent it from happening again. He added that "any amount spilled is too much."