09/09/2025
CAIRDEAS Sinking & Spill: Sinclair Inlet Notice
The following message has been provided by the Department of Ecology regarding a sunken vessel in Sinclair Inlet, which may result in sheen and odor in our marinas. Please refer questions to the Department of Ecology's website: Spills & Cleanup - Washington State Department of Ecology.
The Washington Department of Ecology Spill Response and U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received multiple notifications that the CAIRDEAS was sinking the morning of September 7, 2025.
A local Port Orchard company, Salty Boys Boat Works, assisted Ecology personnel in conducting a quick assessment of the vessel and took a lead in placing the oil collection boom they had on hand around the vessel. WA Ecology is profusely thankful for Salty Boys Boat Works' initiative and assistance.
The CAIRDEAS is a 110' Motor Yacht. The engines are inoperable and only had one generator onboard. WA Ecology is unsure of the amount of diesel onboard as the owner is unsure/unspecific.
Salty Boys Boat Works staff were able to recover product in the sheen, thereby amplifying the potential amount spilled in Sinclair Inlet.
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound had federalized the Oil Spill Response through The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. This emergency fund is available for Federal On-Scene Coordinators (FOSCs) to respond to discharges and for federal trustees to initiate natural resource damage assessments.
Both Ecology and the Coast Guard are actively working to protect the environment and to work with the owner to raise the vessel to mitigate more impact to Sinclair Inlet.
While the operations are continuing, there will be significant sheening and diesel odor in the Port Orchard area.
Best regards,
Rob Walls
Response Unit Supervisor NW Region
Washington Dept. of Ecology
Spill Prevention, Preparedness and Response Program