The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) has levied fines totaling $33,250 against two companies whose ships spilled oil while loading and unloading cargo at state ports this year.

A $17,250 penalty was assessed to DS Schiffahrt GmbH & Co. KG of Hamburg, Germany, because its 997-foot containership Hyundai Republic, spilled 159 gallons of hydraulic oil in Tacoma's Blair Waterway on March 17, 2009.

The incident occurred about 1 p.m. after the vessel's bow thruster suffered a 3-foot fracture while getting underway at the Port of Tacoma. A bow thruster is a propulsion device designed to assist with maneuverability while a vessel is docking or departing.

Crew members later told Ecology investigators they heard a loud metal breaking noise when the thruster started. A low hydraulic warning light also displayed in the ship's bridge and engine room. The thruster system was powered down, and the Hyundai Republic got underway about 15 minutes later with the assistance of three tugs.

"The first minutes of any spill are the most critical for mounting an effective response to protect the environment. This incident is alarming because the ship's master didn't report the spill until 3 p.m. – after the Hyundai Republic was nearly to Seattle," said David Byers, who oversees Ecology's statewide spill response activities.