On Thursday, June 1, 2017, the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District Hazardous Materials Team responded to the North River Fire District for a fuel spill in a boat. Accidentally a boat owner pumped over 20 gallons of fuel through a rod holder instead of his fuel tank. This fuel ended up in bottom of this boat in the well and rapidly became an extremely dangerous incident.
North River Fire District secured the area and made certain that all power was shut off until the arrival of SMFR’s Hazardous Material Team. When they arrived on scene they used a Pro pack to foam the fuel contained within the vessel and then used a pump to siphon the fuel out of the boat and into a 55 gallon drum. Additionally absorbing booms and pads were used around the boat to soak up the fuel that was initially pumped out of the well by the bilge pump.
Chief Gould, Lieutenant Naples, Lt. Tumolo, Firefighter/Paramedic Eldridge, Firefighter/EMT McKeaver and Firefighter/EMT Lucas, all Haz-mat Technicians, worked to bring this incident under control and to prevent contamination of our Intracoastal Waterway and bay. Outstanding job to everyone in bringing this dangerous situation rapidly under control.
