Workers at Newport News Shipbuilding were transferring jet fuel to the future John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier Friday when the fuel known as JP-5 spilled into the river, at the shipyard.
The company originally reported that roughly 50 gallons had been spilled. An inspection of the fuel tanks by state investigators the next day found that between 7,000 and 8,000 gallons of jet fuel leaked into the James River.
The public has reported an odor and an oily sheen on the water. Pollution Assessment teams from Coast Guard Sector Virginia, supported by Coast Guard Station Portsmouth boat crews and a drone, have mapped out an area of concern from Newport News past the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. One loon has been found dead, says the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
“Clean up and remediation efforts were initiated immediately to contain the fuel and protect the surrounding environment. The U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities were notified – they are reviewing and monitoring the ongoing cleanup process,” said Todd Corillo, spokesman for Huntington Ingalls Industries, the parent of Newport News Shipbuilding.
The cleanup is still ongoing Tuesday. Authorities believe much of the spill was contained near the shipyard. The company and contractors cordoned off the spill and began removing fuel from the water near the shipyard.
By early Tuesday evening, the company was lowering the estimate of how much fuel was dumped into the river, saying it was no more than 4,722 gallon. The rest can be attributed to fuel found in the ship's piping system and storage tanks, Corillo said.
"We understand that a spill of this nature is deeply concerning to those who live by and enjoy the natural beauty of the James River," Corillo said. "We are committed to being a good neighbor and thank our shipbuilders, community partners, and responding agencies for their quick actions and continued engagement to bring this process to a successful close."
The state has not found an impact on drinking water or shellfish growing areas, according to the VDEQ.
According to the Virginia Department of Health, odors from jet fuel can result in headache, nausea and throat irritation. Individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions may be sensitive to fuel vapors and therefore may experience more discomfort or irritation. The state recommends that people experiencing symptoms should see a doctor.
The accident remains under investigation by state and local authorities.
The Kennedy is the latest Ford Class aircraft carrier. Originally, the carrier was set to be turned over to the Navy last year, but it is not expected to be finished in the spring of 2027. The carrier had just been out to sea with a full crew for its first builder trials.
The carrier itself is nuclear powered. The JP-5 is used to fuel aircraft assigned to the ship. The jet fuel is known to cause health problems. Though the company was in charge of Friday’s fuel transfer, the military has had several incidents involving spilled jet fuel.
In 2021, fuel from Red Hill Bulk Storage Facility leaked into the water supply for the nearby Navy base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. A much larger, 24 million gallon leak went on for decades at Kirtland Air Force Base. Discovered in 1999, it threatened the drinking water for Albuquerque, New Mexico and it is still being cleaned up.
