Authorities monitoring light sheen spotted off Huntington Beach

The U.S. Coast Guard said Saturday that crews observed a "light sheen" in the same area as the October leak as they prepared to work on the damaged oil pipeline and replace syntho-glass wrap being used to secure broken pipe, according to a statement from the Unified Command, which includes the Coast Guard and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - The U.S. Coast Guard said Saturday it was unable to locate a reported "light sheen" spotted off the coast of Huntington Beach -- in the same region as the October leak that spilled thousands of gallons of oil into the ocean.

The sheen, measuring about 30 by 70 feet, was reported around 12:15 p.m.

The Coast Guard tweeted about 3 p.m. that "No sheen is currently observed by on-water and aerial assets."

Previous syntho-glass wrap was removed from the broken pipeline and new wrap was replaced the Coast Guard said.

"Crews will monitor the line overnight ensuring effectiveness," the Coast Guard said. "The pipeline has remained shut down since the initial incident Oct 2."

The Coast Guard also noted an investigation was ongoing to determine if the previously reported sheen was associated with the damaged pipeline or another source.

The Coast Guard called the sighting a "light sheen, not a slick." Such sheens are often seen when diesel gas is spilled, the Coast Guard said.

Pollution responders, aircraft and boats from a unified command were dispatched to the site to investigate the report, the USCG tweeted. The command included personnel from the Coast Guard and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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"While there have been no further observations of oil droplets after the wrap was replaced and no further observations of sheen since the initial report this morning, we continue to monitor the site," said Coast Guard Capt. Rebecca Ore, captain of the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach. "The Unified Command remains committed to our community and the environment."

An underwater pipeline was determined to be the source of the October leak that spilled thousands of gallons of oil into the ocean, forcing the closure of beaches and harbors across Orange County.

That leak was first reported Oct. 2.

USCG and National Transportation Safety Board investigators have identified a cargo ship named "Beijing" as a vessel involved in an "anchor- dragging incident" in January that may have contributed to the October leak.

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