The November 7th spill of bunker fuel from the Cosco Busan, South Korea-bound container ship, is shaping up to be much more serious than early reports indicated and appears to be the worst ship-related spill in more than a decade. The Coast Guard estimates that over 58,000 gallons of fuel were spilled from the accident, up from their initial approximation of only 140 gallons. Only a fraction of those gallons of fuel have been contained thus far.

Several area beaches and recreational areas have been closed. These beaches are in national parks, which are home to threatened and endangered species like the Western Snowy Plover, and the coastal waters off the mouth of the Golden Gate are national marine sanctuaries. Tarballs, a sticky petroleum emulsion, have already started to appear on local beaches.

San Francisco Baykeeper is investigating why initial reports underestimated the size of the spill and why the Coast Guard failed to immediately coordinate its response with the Office of Spill Prevention and Response, the state agency charged with responding to oil spills.

PHOTOS: Wildlife & the Oil Spill | Environmental toll from oil spill in SF unknow exactly | Bay is ringed by globs of thick sticky tar | Oil Spill in San Francisco Bay

Federal Criminal Investigation Opens into 58,000-Gallon Oil Spill in San Francisco Bay | Baykeeper Response to Cosco Busan Oil Spill on San Francisco Bay | Vessel Traffic Lanes Threaten National Marine Sanctuaries and State MPAs | Seaflow Statement on the Cosco Busan Bunker Fuel Spill | Bay Bridge Hit by Container Ship; Oil Slick | Preparing for an oil spill and hazardous material spills requires qualifed training

BayKeeper.org | SeaFlow.org