Hazard containment booms were quickly deployed when a vessel capsized on the Clyde River on Saturday, July 22.
Batemans Bay Fire and Rescue station commander Craig Mashman said a truck with 5 crew were called to assist at a sinking boat at about 7.30 am on Saturday morning.
“The 32 foot launch was taking water, so our crew went down there to bouy around the vessel,” Mr Mashman said.
Mr Mashman said the priority was to protect the environment.
“It’s big money right around the corner of the river there,” he said.
“Those leases are one of the few to do Sydney Rock oysters.”
The booms were deployed to contain potential petrochemical and biohazard contamination of the river.
“There was about 200 litres of diesel on board and a bio-toilet,” Mr Mashman said.
“Either hazard could shut down the oyster leases.”
He said the vessel was salvaged by a commercial operator and the Environmental Protection Agency also attended to take water samples. The containment boom was left in place until Monday, July 24.
