Cleanup begins of Long Island oil spill

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The Coast Guard on Saturday began cleaning up an oil spill off the north coast of Long Island that forced the closure of a 10-mile stretch of the beach.

The amount of oil spilled Friday morning, as well as the extent of damage, was still being determined, said Coast Guard spokesman Scott Steinbarger.

The cause of the spill also was not known, but Steinbarger said the Coast Guard was investigating whether it was caused by a cargo vessel with a leak in its oil tank. The vessel, operated by Moran Towing, had been anchored just outside New Haven Harbor, about 25 miles to the north.

Moran Towing is supervising the cleanup operations with the assistance of the Coast Guard. The company has not claimed responsibility for the spill.

The spill was concentrated around Sound Beach, New York. It prompted officials to close a 10-mile stretch of beach between Smithtown Bay and Shoreham indefinitely.

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