Incident News
TUG KALEEN MCALLISTER, Baltimore, MD
This afternoon USCG Sector Baltimore notified the NOAA SSC that the Tug Boat KALEEN MCALLISTER struck an unidentified object in Baltimore Harbor and sank. Vessel has onboard between 18,000-22,000 gallons of diesel fuel. A surface sheen has been observed. USCG requested NOAA to provide trajectory in aniticipation of a worst case release in anticipation of raising the vessel. See hotline for further information.
Mystery slick off Puerto Rico, 6 miles off SW corner of Puerto Rico
At about 1600 ADT on April 25th, an overflight reported a 12 mile slick oriented N to S and about 5-6 miles off the SW tip of Puerto Rico. Reported coordinates are 17d 54.7'N by 67d 18.2'W for the northern tip, and 17d 43.6'N by 67d 18.2' W.Photos show a brown substance in the water with no sheen. Winds were 5 - knots.
Tug Delta Captain, Offshore of Point Sur, CA
At approximately 1700 hours (local) on 13-APR-2013, the tug Delta Captain was reportedly sinking approximately 13NM off Point Sur, CA. At the time, she was towing a deck barge with a crane on board and a total of 22,000 gallons of diesel (18,000 on the tug, 4,000 on the barge). By the time a USCG helicopter was on-scene to conduct search & rescue operations, the barge, a life boat and debris was visible but no signs of pollution and no tug boat. Four survivors were rescued and taken to shore and the tug is believed sunk and possibly suspended below the barge by a 1,400 foot tow cable. Water depths in the area are approximately 400 fathoms (2,400 feet), seas are reportedly 14-16 feet and gale force winds. A second tug boat is due on-scene in the next 14 hours. USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to request a precautionary “what if” trajectory in the event there is a catastrophic release of product before tomorrow’s first light overflight.
Zinc Bromide, 120 mi Offshore, LA
On 03APR, USCG MSU Morgan City contacted NOAA SSC about a release of zinc bromide by an offshore drilling vessel (NRC #1042785). The vessel was conducting operations when high winds forces an emergency disconnect and the solution was released at depth of 4,700 ft below surface. The incident occurred 120 miles offshore, in Green Canyon Block 727. Reports claim quantities between 550 and 1652 bbls of solution was released. USCG is requesting information about potential environmental impacts and potential area of impact due to this release.
Hydrogen Sulfide release, Chalmette, LA
On 03APR, USCG Sector New Orleans contacted NOAA SSC in regards to citizen reports of “funny chemical smells” throughout the greater New Orleans metro area. USCG and LDEQ personnel began interviewing citizens early this AM and searched for a source of chemical release. Active air monitoring led personnel to investigate of a facility in Chalmette (6 miles ESE of French Quarter, New Orleans, LA). The facility reported a leaking flare drum with hydrogen sulfide and benzene being released. USCG is request air plume modeling to determine if the two cases are linked.
Mystery Sheen, Oahu, HI
USCG Sector Honolulu contacted the NOAA SSC to request a hindcast trajectory for a mystery sheen reported at 1010 on March 27 approximately a mile an a quarter south of Diamond Head in Oahu, HI. The sheen was reported to be approximately a third of a mile in length.
Mystery Sheen, Timbalier Block 30, 5mi Offshore, LA
On 12MAR, USCG MSU Morgan City contacted NOAA SSC in regards to a report of a mystery sheen, 5mi by 100 yrd, with 50% cover of rainbow and silver sheen. The sheen was reported by a platform in Timbalier Block 30 after witnessing a vessel transit the area. The sheen appears to be traveling west. The product chemistry and quantity is not known. USCG is requesting a trajectory from NOAA.
SMI 572 Collision, Bayou Perot, Lafitte, LA
On 12MAR, USCG Sector New Orleans contacted NOAA SSC in regards to a tug/barge collision with a natural gas pipeline which has resulted in a 100 ft tall fire and four injuries, one severe. The incident occurred in Bayou Perot outside Lafitte, LA. The barge contained 2215 bbl crude oil and the tug contained 1000 gl diesel. The tug and barge are currently on fire. USCG is requesting a trajectory to support pollution response operations as oil has already been sighted on the water.
UTV JUSTICE Sunk, MM 161, Mississippi River, LA
On 07MAR13 at 0200 hrs, USCG Sector New Orleans contacted NOAA SSC about a potential release of diesel fuel and lube oil from a sunken tug at mile marker 161.5, about 200 feet off the right descending bank. At this point, no sheen is observed and USCG is requesting a trajectory from NOAA as a preventative measure.
Mystery Sheen , West Delta 80, LA
On 09MAR13, USCG MSU Morgan City contacted NOAA SSC in regards to a mystery sheen reported in West Delta Block 80, 21 miles southeast of Grande Isle. The sheen is reported as 5 miles by 5 miles with 70% dark blue/brown and 30% light rainbow. USCG has requested a trajectory from NOAA.