The U.S. Coast Guard announced today that a partial blockage of fuel lines caused a 741-foot petroleum tanker to lose propulsion near the Marin Headlands Tuesday evening.
A helicopter crew found no sign of pollution during a flight in the area this morning and an inspection of the vessel, which included an underwater survey by divers, showed no damage to the ship that nearly ran aground, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Levi Read said.
The vessel today was at Anchorage Nine near AT&T Park, Read said. It was heading from San Francisco to Ecuador when it lost propulsion around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday after passing under the Golden Gate Bridge.
The U.S. Coast Guard said the vessel, the Overseas Cleliamar, is owned by the Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. The company's Web site lists it as the second-largest oil tanker company in the world based on its number of vessels.
The Overseas Cleliamar had unloaded in Martinez earlier Tuesday and was not carrying any cargo aside from the fuel for its own propulsion, Read said.
The vessel regained power about 10 minutes after the initial distress, and several tugboats and the U.S. Coast Guard assisted the boat in returning to San Francisco to safely dock at Anchorage Nine.
Read said this morning no one was injured in the incident and that the ship never ran aground.
The ship's master, pilot, helmsman and engineering crew all tested negative for drugs and alcohol Tuesday night, Read said. Any further testing of the 32 crew members will be done by Overseas Shipholding Group, Read said.
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The incident remains under investigation by the Coast Guard and further safety examination will be conducted before the vessel is able to depart.
