- Mile-long diesel sheen detected near Vieques' Sun Bay Beach
- One individual hospitalized with respiratory distress
- Coast Guard deploys containment booms; source under investigation
- Local tourism operators report cancellations amid contamination fears
The US Coast Guard launched an urgent response Friday after a spreading diesel fuel spill was reported near Vieques, Puerto Rico's ecologically sensitive bioluminescent bay area. Emergency crews identified a 5,280-foot oil sheen drifting toward Sun Bay Beach, a popular snorkeling destination renowned for its crystal-clear waters. Preliminary assessments suggest the spill originated from a compromised fuel line near a decommissioned power plant, though officials stress the investigation remains ongoing.
Local fishermen first alerted authorities to the pungent diesel odor permeating Mosquito Bay at approximately 2:15 PM AST. By sunset, beachgoers reported iridescent slicks coating sections of shoreline, prompting swift beach closures. Environmental Protection Agency specialists are analyzing water samples to determine toxicity levels, while Coast Guard helicopters conduct aerial surveys to map the spill's progression.
Medical personnel treated a 34-year-old kayaker for chemical-induced bronchospasm, marking the first confirmed health impact. Vieques Health Center director Dr. Marisol Quintana warned residents: 'Exposure to petroleum distillates can cause severe dermatological and respiratory reactions - avoid all beach contact until further notice.' The incident renews concerns about aging energy infrastructure across Puerto Rico's 5,000-mile coastline.
Industry analysts predict the spill could cost Vieques' tourism sector $2.3 million in lost revenue during peak season. A 2023 Caribbean Hotel Association study revealed 68% of travelers cancel bookings following environmental incidents. 'This catastrophe underscores why 42% of marine insurers now require dual-containment systems for coastal fuel storage,' noted maritime risk consultant Ernesto Vega.
The containment strategy mirrors protocols developed after Hurricane Maria's 2017 industrial spills, which contaminated 15 miles of Puerto Rican shoreline. Lessons from that disaster informed the rapid deployment of absorbent booms across Vieques' eastern inlets Saturday morning. Cleanup crews face mounting challenges as shifting tides spread diesel fuel into mangrove nurseries critical for juvenile sea turtle populations.