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Stretch of Damariscotta River closed to shellfishing due to fuel leak from sinking boat

Stretch of Damariscotta River closed to shellfishing due to fuel leak from sinking boat

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


Part of the Damariscotta River had to be closed to shellfishing Friday after a sinking boat leaked fuel into the water.

Maine’s Department of Marine Resources said a 28-foot cabin cruiser with about 100 gallons of diesel fuel sank Friday morning on its mooring in Newcastle.

Officials said no one was on board the boat.

A milelong stretch in the upper part of the river was closed to shellfishing. According to the Portland Press Herald, a spokesperson for the department said they planned to raise the boat Saturday to try to determine what sank it.

Officials will also collect shellfish samples on Monday to start the process of reopening the river.

 

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