Tugboat Dominion Sinks in Bremerton Marina Prompting Major Environmental Response

The 130-foot TB DOMINION sank in Bremerton Marina on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, prompting an environmental response that has continued all week as crews work to contain diesel fuel contamination and assess ecological effects.

The Washington State Department of Ecology was notified of the sinking on Wednesday afternoon, and the U.S. Coast Guard immediately responded to the incident. On Thursday morning, response teams deployed an absorbent boom around the sunken tugboat to contain fuel leaking from the vessel.

The U.S. Coast Guard set a safety zone from Manette Bridge extending 200 yards off the Bremerton Marina breakwater to the Bremerton Ferry Terminal. Non-commercial vessels were advised to avoid the area as U.S. Coast Guard vessels were actively maintaining this restricted area.

The situation escalated over the weekend when the TB DOMINION released additional contaminants overnight between Friday and Saturday. Response teams quickly activated additional crews and deployed two drum skimmers to address the growing contamination. The Port of Bremerton took the precautionary step of closing the marina to public fishing activity.

As of Monday, September 22, 2025, response crews have recovered approximately 7,500 gallons of oily water from the contaminated area. Earlier estimates suggested that roughly half of recovered material consists of actual oil product, with the remainder being contaminated water.

Dive teams have conducted underwater inspections of the vessel to check the amount of remaining fuel and structural integrity. Multiple containment booms remain in place around the vessel, with crews continuously adjusting configurations to account for changing tides.

Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Teams (SCAT) have conducted surveys along Point Washington Narrows from Lions Park south to the Manette Bridge. Surveys found some oil, but investigators concluded it likely wasn’t from the TB DOMINION. Minor sheen and emulsified oil in Anderson Cove had dispersed and could not be recovered.

Environmental teams are monitoring potential wildlife impacts from the diesel spill. Two deceased birds were found, however officials have not yet confirmed whether their deaths were related to the spill. Wildlife recovery specialists are on the scene, and authorities are urging the public not to capture any oiled animals they find but rather contact the dedicated hotline at 1-800-222-4737 (1-800-22BIRDS).

Response coordinators have taken measures to prevent contamination from spreading beyond the spill area. Teams are working directly with nearby vessel owners to decontaminate boats as they leave the marina, helping to minimize diesel sheen migration to other areas of the Sound.

The cause of the TB DOMINION sinking remains under investigation, with multiple agencies working to find the cause of the vessel’s loss. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about aging vessel infrastructure and the environmental risks posed by maritime operations.

Response operations are expected to continue as dive teams complete their vessel assessment and cleanup crews work to recover remaining contamination. Authorities continue to ask the public to avoid the immediate response area to allow cleanup crews to work safely and efficiently.