The State - News from May 1, 1988

The largest yacht race of the year in the San Francisco Bay area was canceled because of last week’s crude oil spill from a Shell Oil refinery. Patrick Lane, vice commodore of the Vallejo Yacht Club, sponsor of the event, said it was the first cancellation in the 88-year history of the regatta. He said the 700-boat race was canceled at the request of Shell officials, who were not willing to pay for cleanup costs. Lane said Shell has agreed to reimburse $60,000 in entry fees. The Coast Guard said the spill attracted sightseers and the problem had gotten out of hand. Officials formally asked people, whether on boat or on foot, to stay away from the area. At least 175,000 gallons of oil spilled April 23 from Shell’s refinery in Martinez, about 15 miles east of Vallejo. Shell admitted it violated federal environmental regulations by leaving open a valve that would normally prevent material from a rain drain pipe from flowing into nearby Peyton Slough.