Nearly 2000 liters of diesel is believed to have spilled from the 1355 GRT purse seiner Ocean Breeze inside Pago Pago Harbor, Zealand Radio New International reports.
According to the Sanford website this vessel was built in Canada in 1967, which makes it one of the oldest purse seiners.
Coastguard Lieutenant Steven Claskey says the spill was reported by the boat's crew and the coastguard is overseeing the clean-up operation.
It has also detained the seiner following an inspection which found that pollution prevention equipment was not operating property.
Lieutenant Claskey says this is the third tuna fishing boat owned by Sanfords to be detained in Pago Pago for deficiencies in the past three months.
Currently Sanford is operating 3 purse seiners in the Western Pacific, The Ocean Breeze, the 1957 GRT San Nikunau and the 1678 GRT San Nanumea which was constructed in 1982.
