The state Department of Ecology, the U.S. Coast Guard and a private contractor responded to an oil spill at Fishermen's Terminal in Seattle on Wednesday, the ecology department said. An oil slick originating there spread north across Salmon Bay, the department said.

An unknown source, most likely one or more commercial vessels, released diesel fuel and hydraulic oil into the freshwater bay at Fishermen's Terminal on the southern shore, the department said. Winds pushed the oil north across the bay into a private marina on the north shore, the department said.

An oil slick could be seen on the water's surface in both locations.

Ecology department and Coast Guard investigators found one fishing vessel which had a small release of hydraulic oil, but weren't sure if it was enough to account for all the oil spilled in the bay, the department said. They said they will continue to investigate the source of the spill.

The amount of oil spilled is unknown, but tens of gallons of oil can spread over the surface of an area the size of Salmon Bay, the department said.

A cleanup contractor is recovering oil from the water at the Ballard Mill Marina; crews in boats and on the dock are placing oil cleanup pads on the water, the department said.

The department said the slick was too thin for cleanup in most areas.

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