By Khalida Sarwari and Janna Brancolini
Crews have recovered three of 18 boats that sank in the Santa Cruz Harbor on Friday when tsunami waves hit the area following the disaster in Japan, a state Department of Fish and Game spokesman said this morning.
On Friday, an 8.9-magnitude earthquake off the northeast coast of Japan caused a tsunami that killed thousands of people before traveling across the Pacific Ocean and briefly elevating surf levels along parts of the California coast.
The wave surges caused an estimated $17.1 million in damage to the harbor, and losses of between $4 million and $6 million to individual boat owners, Department of Fish and Game spokesman Andrew Hughan said.
About 100 boats have sustained some damage, ranging from paint scratches to total loss. Fifteen boats remain in the water, and boom has been placed around them, Hughan said.
“The danger has passed,” Hughan said. “Everyone is working together to get the port back in shape.”
He said the recovery process is going as quickly as possible, but that the difficulty of recovering each boat varies.
“Some will be lifted, some will have to be surrounded with protective booms,” Hughan said. “It’s a slow process, but everyone is doing the best they can.”
Hughan said the sunken vessels leaked “a very small amount” of oil, which he estimated to be less than a few gallons, but said it has been contained. There is no oil sheen or any significant amount of acid in the water near the boats, he said.
Hughan said there has been no loss of animal life.
“It’s a good environmental situation, considering what it could have been,” Hughan said.
He said Department of Fish and Game crews will be watching for any future environmental issues that could arise.
A unified command consisting of the Coast Guard, the California Department of Fish and Game Office of Oil Spill Prevention and Response and the local harbormaster is expected to remain at the scene until at least the end of the week.