LEELANAU TOWNSHIP (WWJ) — A yacht owned by Michigan actor Tim Allen forced the closure of Newport Marina after a popped gasket on his sailing vessel spewed diesel fuel into the water Sunday afternoon.
Northport Village Marina Harbormaster Bill Rosemurgy told the Record-Eagle that the spill was first reported around 5 p.m. on Sunday in Leelanau Township and closed the marina until Monday evening.
“Nobody in and nobody out,” Rosemurgy had said of the situation.
Leelanau Township Fire Chief Hugh Cook explained the fuel was dumped into the marina due to a fuel filter issue which caused diesel fuel to flooded the boat's engine compartment and a bilge pump removed the excess fuel — right into the water.
Cook said Allen was unaware of the leak while maneuvering through the harbor. He was notified by onlookers after he docked at the marina's gas dock.
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“I don’t think he had any idea what was going on,” Cook said.
Allen said via the Record-Eagle that he believes the fuel filter gasket popped off while he was navigating around the corner of Omena Bay — he did not realized his yacht was leaking fuel until he reached the marina.
“I felt very uncomfortable closing the harbor down for everybody,” Allen said. “But we’re going to get it open.”
Allen said he lost an estimated 11 gallons of fuel in the harbor, but Rosemurgy said over 30 gallons of fuel escaped into the water.
The exact amount of fuel that was spilled has not been released by authorities.
Rosemurgy told the Record-Eagle that while 30 gallons of fuel may not sound like much, he explained that diesel fuel spans out quicker in water because "it is more oily compared to gasoline."
Allen said he was told by the U.S. Coast Guard that diesel spills look worse than they are.
The marina deployed booms and absorbent pads into the water Sunday night to catch the spill, which officials said was mostly contained within the harbor.
A pollution team from the U.S. Coast Guard has been in touch with marina staff to provide professional management into clean up efforts.
Cook told the Record-Eagle that his department was not told of the spill until an hour and a half after the incident. A clean-up crew responded to the harbor on Monday where firefighters used 1,000 oil absorbent pads in the water.
Allen is financial responsible for all clean up efforts, Cook said.
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While Cook said he did not believe wildlife was affected by the leaked fuel, visitors in the area said carp, pike and ducklings were found dead.
Rosemurgy confirmed a beach just south of the marina was closed Monday morning after fuel was seen sheening along the shoreline and sand.
“I looked at it and said to myself ‘I wouldn’t let my kids swim here, so I’m not going to let anyone else’s kids swim here,’” Rosemurgy said. “That’s about as scientific as it was.”
The marina was reopened Monday evening around 7 p.m., Rosemugy confirmed. He hoped the beach would also be cleaned up and ready for visitors on Tuesday.