Oil spills from sinking sailboat in Hood Canal

An 18-foot sail boat leaked an estimated 15 gallons of gasoline into the water after it started sinking this morning in Hood Canal near Belfair, Mason County.

The cause of the sinking and spill is under investigation, said Coast Guard spokeswoman Tara Molle.

The privately-owned boat had "keeled over on its side" after the tide went out and was discharging gasoline, said Petty Officer Daniel Ferrell.

"We did have some heavy rain recently, and a lot of times that is what causes these things to happen," said Petty Officer Pamela-Renae Rollins, adding that investigators won't be able to determine the cause until the boat is removed from the water.

The vessel's owner is having the boat towed to the Belfair Marina for possible repairs, Ferrell said.

The Coast Guard and the state Department of Ecology coordinated cleanup efforts for the spill, which was not extensive, Rollins said. Most of the estimated 15 gallons had evaporated in the sunlight when the Coast Guard's pollution investigators arrived, she said.

"It's not a whole lot, but it's certainly not what you want to have discharged in the water," Ferrell said.

Noelene Clark: 206-464-2321 or nclark@seattletimes.com