Fuel, Oil Leaking From Sunken Barge in San Francisco Bay

Diesel fuel and hydraulic oil are leaking into San Francisco Bay after powerful winds capsized a freight barge near the Bay Bridge early Friday.

Authorities say they are preparing to clean a maximum of 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 300 gallons of lube oil.

The 112-foot barge has a crane and is under contract with BART. It is positioned near the underwater rail tunnel through which the transit system's trains pass between San Francisco and Oakland. The barge is used by divers who do underwater anti-corrosion work on the tube.

BART authorities say that no crews were working on the barge at the time. The agency's engineers say the Transbay Tube is not damaged. There are also no reports of damage to wildlife.

Steve Gonzalez of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife says a team of environmental scientists is at the scene monitoring potential damage.

"In that area there's seabirds," Gonzalez said. "Most of the time that animals that are affected in oil spills are seabirds."

The Coast Guard reported the sunken barge on Friday shortly after midnight.

The Coast Guard has set aside $50,000 from its oil-spill liability trust fund to use for cleanup, Coast Guard spokeswoman Petty Officer Sarah Wilson said. A crew placed 3,000 feet of boom around the barge, which will serve as a barrier to minimize the impact of the spill.

This post contains reporting from the Associated Press and KQED's Alissa Escarce.