Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 2, 1990                   TAG: 9007020214
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NORFOLK                                LENGTH: Medium

OIL CLEANUP UNDER WAY AFTER SHIPS COLLIDE IN BAY

"We consider this a major marine casualty because of the damage done and the amount of oil spilled," said U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. George Naccara.

Naccara said 35,000 gallons to 40,000 gallons of No. 4 heavy oil and diesel were spilled when the Columbus America, registered in West Germany, and the Neptune Jade, based in Singapore, collided at 6:48 p.m. Sunday about five miles north of Norfolk near Thimble Shoals light.

The 635-foot-long Columbus America received extensive damage, Naccara said. The ship was taken to the Norshipco yard on the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River. The ship had a hole below the water line and 12 of its cargo containers were severely damaged, he said.

The Columbus America holds about 140,000 gallons of fuel. Naccara said Coast Guard and Navy personnel spent most of the night stringing containment booms around the ship and using oil skimmers to pick up as much of the spill as possible.

At one point, oil was reported from the Thimble Shoals light all the way up the Elizabeth River.

Naccara said a Coast Guard helicopter was in the air at first light to survey the extent of the spill.

Naccara estimated damage to the Neptune Jade at $150,000.

The accident happened as severe thunderstorms and high winds battered the Hampton Roads area. The National Weather Service had issued a marine warning and severe weather watches for the area before the crash.

Officials did not know if the oil posed any hazard to people or aquatic life.

The cause of the accident was under investigation, according to Coast Guard spokesman Rick Woods. Both the Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board will take part in the investigation.