The oil spill in the Los Angeles harbor from the 577-foot cargo ship Istra Ace has been contained and the majority of the oil removed with a helicopter flight completed by the Los Angeles Port Police, Wednesday, determining no visible sheen outside or inside the boom area, the United States Coast Guard informed.
Consequently, the safety zone issued by the Coast Guard, restricting recreational and commercial vessel traffic in the affected area has been reduced Wednesday, allowing access to areas of the port previously restricted. The Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge has resumed operations and the Cerritos channel has been opened to normal traffic.
The responsible party for spilled oil in the vicinity of the cargo ship, continues their clean-up efforts that began Sunday evening. The Coast Guard and California Fish and Wildlife are overseeing all response efforts, while the Los Angeles Port Police and Los Angeles County Fire are assisting in monitoring the area.
The ship was reported to have been leaking heavy fuel in the Cerritos channel at Berth 198, after an initial investigation revealed faulty piping that may have allowed oil to leak from the starboard side of the ship.
Contractors are continuing to clean with sweepers and sorbent pads around the vessel and other affected areas. A total of 18 response vessels have been assigned and working the incident, according to the USCG.