SEAL BEACH : Soot is Scooped; Beach Reopens
City officials reopened a half-mile stretch of beach Wednesday that was closed after a freighter spewed carbon soot along the shoreline, blackening the interior of 30 seaside homes.
The beach had been closed since Tuesday while environmental crews scoop up patches of stained sand.
On Wednesday, the cleanup effort continued as crews hired by the ship’s operator worked throughout the day to remove the thick black powder from residences with stained furniture, walls and carpets.
The incident occurred Monday night when a freighter anchored off Long Beach vented its smokestacks, releasing the carbon material. The ship’s operator, Hapag-Lloyd, a German company, has accepted responsibility.
City officials said Wednesday they were still assessing the financial impact of the accident and could not provide damage estimates.
However, Assistant City Manager Robert Archibold said the city intends to seek restitution for whatever damage was caused when the soot washed ashore south of Seal Beach Pier.
“We expect to be made whole,” Archibold said. “We’ll submit a claim for any expenses our community has incurred from this incident.”
Meanwhile, water quality officials said they will investigate the incident because polluting the ocean, even accidentally, violates state laws.
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