U.S. Coast Guard Dispels Fuel Spill Concerns in Wicomico River

Image Courtesy of Salisbury Fire Department

SALISBURY, Md. – Multiple agencies responded to the Port of Salisbury Marina near Brew River for a suspected fuel spill on Wednesday night.

However, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has since confirmed that the sheen observed in the Wicomico River was not a fuel spill at all. Chris O’Barsky with the Salisbury Fire Department (SFD) told WMDT that the spill was most likely a algae bloom, and poses no threat to the public. USCG officials say its appearance in the water is believed to be temporary.

The Salisbury Fire Department responded to the area with Wicomico Emergency Management and the Department of Natural Resources. Multiple boats were observed patrolling the impacted area shortly after 6:00 p.m. on Mar. 4. Yellow tubing was employed to minimize spreading in the river.