KINGSTON — The fuel spill that resulted in the cancellation 14 one-way ferry sailings between Edmonds and Kingston occurred when Washington State Ferries personnel were transferring fuel to an emergency generator tank.

Less than 15 gallons of diesel fuel were spilled into the water just north of the ferry landing in Kingston on Sept. 1, according to Washington State Ferries spokeswoman Marta Coursey.

“WSF staff immediately notified the National Response Center and the Washington Emergency Management Division and contained oil on the vessel and in the water using boom and absorbent materials to absorb the oil until spill response crews could complete the cleanup,” Coursey reported.

“Our highest priorities are the safety of our passengers and the environment. WSF took necessary precautions to minimize impacts to the environment.”

The spill forced one-boat service, which resumed for the 10:25 a.m. sailing from Kingston. Two-boat service resumed with the 12:50 p.m. sailing from Kingston.

The ferry service was temporarily suspended and then reduced to one ferry as a precaution to reduce the risk of churning water and dispersing the fuel to a wider area, according to Coursey.