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A research vessel operated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has leaked marine diesel oil into the Elizabeth River according to the US Coast Guard.

The 90-foot Lake Explorer II, which was moored at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Marine Operation Base in Norfolk, Virginia, is reported to have discharged approximately 1,400 gallons of marine diesel oil into the Elizabeth river on Monday morning.

The captain of the vessel is said to have notified the National Response Center and Coast Guard watchstanders between 6-7 a.m. to inform them them about the vessel's discharge.

The Coast Guard says that two response boat crews and a helicopter team were deployed to the location of the incident. Coast Guard investigators also arrived at the scene.

The Norfolk Fire Department, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and an oil spill response company hired by the EPA also responded to the spill.

According to the Coast Guard, containment booms and absorbent pads were used in an effort to control the spill and the source of the leak was also contained by the ship's crew.

The EPA vessel, previously named Rude, was recently acquired from the NOAA in August. It is understood that the EPA intended to use the Lake Explorer II to carry out research work mostly in the Great Lakes and to study water quality there.

The vessel was reportedly scheduled to depart for the Great Lakes on September 24th, but will now be delayed following the incident.