WWII ship leaks fuel near Pier 45

The United States Coast Guard and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are investigating a reported fuel spill that occurred Saturday in the San Francisco Bay near Pier 45 at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Coast Guard personnel in San Francisco received a report at 10:56 a.m. that an undetermined amount of fuel oil was discharged from the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, a World War II ship, officials said.

Crews were deployed Saturday to evaluate the spill and recover the discharged fuel.

Officials said it appears the spill occurred during an internal transfer onboard the vessel.

Officials said a 100-by-150-yard sheen was located in the area of the spill, and crews were working Saturday evening on putting 5,000 feet of boom around the vessel and other environmentally sensitive areas.

Officials said vacuum trucks and skimming vessels will be at the scene today as part of the cleanup effort.

The cause of the spill is under investigation.