Dec 20, 2007 9:38 pm US/Pacific
Oil Spill Ship Leaves San Francisco Bay
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / AP / BCN) ―
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The Cosco Busan was coming from Oakland when it hit the Delta Tower on the Bay Bridge.
CBS
A 900-foot container ship that collided with the Bay Bridge and spilled nearly 60,000 gallons of oil last month left the bay on Thursday headed for Korea.
The Cosco Busan, which had been anchored off San Francisco's Hunters Point area, passed under the Golden Gate Bridge and returned to the Pacific Ocean on Thursday morning.
The cargo ship spent more than a month docked in the bay while undergoing temporary repairs following the massive spill on Nov. 7.
The U.S. Coast Guard announced earlier Thursday that the ship had been fixed and was cleared to sail. The ship owners posted nearly $80 million for a surety bond, representing the value of the vessel, with the U.S. government to allow it to depart.
Hong Kong-based owner, Regal Stone Ltd. and the man piloting the vessel when it crashed in heavy fog are facing several lawsuits.
The spill spread for miles along the Pacific coast. At least 2,000 birds died from the oil slick.
The Coast Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board marine casualty division and the state of California continue to investigate the incident.
"Our investigation into the incident continues and will not be impeded by the vessel leaving the area," said California Dept. of Fish and Game Acting Director John McCamman. "While there is no basis for the sate to retain the ship, we have the full support of Gov. Schwarzenegger in determining the cause of this tragic incident and holding the responsible party accountable for the short- and long-term damages to the wildlife and habitat resources impacted by the spill."
Meanwhile, a spending bill that awaits President Bush's signature would direct the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general to investigate the spill. In particular, lawmakers want the inspector general to address delays in reporting the spill to local authorities.
The president is expected to sign the bill.
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press and Bay City News contributed to this report.)
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