Waldport, Ore., March 9, 1999 1300 hours

At 12:00 p.m., the tug Sea Victory was 122 miles, or 105 nautical miles, west of Waldport on its trip to the location where the bow of the New Carissa will be scuttled.

The US Coast Guard and the US Navy are still considering a number of options for sinking the vessel once it reaches the designated spot 248 nautical miles out to sea. The Unified Command expects the tug and bow to arrive at the sinking site Thursday and preparations to sink should begin as soon as possible after arrival on-site.

The amount of oil appearing on beaches is steadily decreasing. Shoreline clean-up assessment teams will survey beaches from Heceta Head north to Lincoln City today, conducting a complete overview of the area affected by the New Carissa.

Clean up crews today will focus on the area where the vessel was grounded. Two crews will work from Yachats north to Alsea Bay and from the south jetty to the north spit. Another team will clean Shepard's Point in Alsea Bay. In addition, clean up crews will work on the beaches near Coos Bay today.

Individuals who see oil on the beaches or oiled wildlife should call (541) 563-7614. In addition, a community hotline has been established at (541) 563-7600 with regular updates on wildlife, vessel position and beach clean up. For information not included on the hotline, individuals may call (541) 563-7601 or (541) 563-7602.