U.S. Coast Guard officials have identified the origin of the tar balls that began washing ashore last month. The source: an oil spill at a transfer facility in Bayonne, New Jersey, operated by the Vane Brothers Company.
The spill occurred on November 22nd and has since resulted in tar balls washing ashore from Sea Bright to Asbury Park, as well as parts of Brooklyn and Staten Island. Tar balls, small, dark-colored pieces of oil, are often remnants of oil spills. They are created when crude oil floats on the ocean surface and undergoes physical, chemical, and biological changes, a process known as “weathering”. These tar balls can travel hundreds of miles and are very persistent in the marine environment.
Vane Brothers Company, a marine transportation provider with more than 130 vessels operating out of multiple locations, including Bayonne, has been identified as the source of the spill. The company, which has been in operation since 1898, offers a wide range of maritime services along the U.S. East, West, and Gulf coasts.
Officials have reported that cleanup efforts in New York are complete, but efforts in New Jersey are ongoing. Vane Brothers Company has assumed responsibility for the response effort to ensure that there is no further impact to the environment.
For most people, an occasional brief contact with a small amount of oil will do no harm. However, the appearance of tar balls on beaches can be a nuisance, sticking to the feet of beachgoers and impacting local wildlife.