Monday, Oct. 26, 2009

S.C. oil-spill cleanup goes on

The Coast Guard continued its oil spill assessment and cleanup at Charleston-area beaches and surrounding areas Saturday.

The oil spill was first reported Tuesday. No new oil has been seen in the water, and the volume remaining on area beaches is low, the Coast Guard said. A helicopter flew over the area Saturday morning and found no new evidence of oil in the water or on the beaches. Crews also conducted shoreline assessments on Seabrook and Edisto islands with no evidence of oil or tar balls.

Cleanup efforts were to continue Sunday on both Kiawah Island and Sandy Point, while crews on Folly Beach were expected to finish operations Saturday.

The source of the spilled oil remains under investigation. The Coast Guard has collected samples from various sources to compare with oil found in the water and on the shore. The analysis and comparison of those samples is not likely to be complete until late next week.

The Coast Guard is asking anyone observing oil in the water or on shore related to this spill to call the local hot line at (843) 740-7090.

Get The State newspaper delivered to your home. Click here to subscribe.