Incident News

On February 9, 2024, the USCG Sector Anchorage contacted the AK SSC regarding a spill in Kwigillingok, AK. Preliminary reports show that 2000K gallons of diesel have been discharged into secondary containment, but USCG is awaiting more details and the full potential amount. Sector Anchorage is requesting a list of resources at risk in that area for this time of year in case there is an impact the coastal zone.

On February 6, 2024, a loading arm at Marathon Dock 40, Texas City, discharged oil into Galveston Bay during maintenance. On February 9, MSU Texas City contacted NOAA SSC for advice on clean up methods for oiled vegetation, and barges. Phone support provided.

On February 8, 2024, the USCG notified NOAA ERD of an approximately 4-barrel crude oil spill into Black Lake, LA. Release came from a 4-inch pipeline. The source is reported to be secured. USCG requested a trajectory.

On 8 February 2024, at 0845, USCG Sector New York notified the NOAA SSC about a train derailment that occurred at approximately 2100 hours on 8 February 2024. The freight train was carrying 94 cars, and at least 10 cars derailed. One car containing plastic pellets fell into the Hoosick River, while another derailed car is leaking vegetable oil. NYSDEC is on-scene. USCG did not request any support at this time.

On February 7, 2024, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to report the loss of 24 shipping containers from the M/V PRESIDENT EISENHOWER the night before, approximately 64 NM southwest of Monterey, CA. No hazardous materials were in any of the lost containers and it was not clear at the time of the report whether any containers were insulated/refrigerated. USCG ran their SAROPS (Search And Rescue Optimal Planning) model to provide an initial drift estimate, indicating downcoast movement. On the morning of 09-FEB-2024, USCG C-130 aircraft observed a shipping container to the southeast of the reported drop location, near the southern reaches of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). MBNMS staff contacted the SSC to request further trajectory information on the floating container to inform further Sanctuary decisions.

On February 6, 2024, a representative from NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, Protected Resources Division, requested ORR modeling assistance for a recent North Atlantic right whale mortality event. ORR modelers are coordinating with Fisheries.

On 31 JAN 2024, USCG Sector Ohio Valley (SOHV) contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a barge containing unknown material, presumed to be oily wastewater, that is believed to be associated with an oily discharge reported on 26 JAN by USCG Paducah in the vicinity of MM 11.5 on the TN River (west of Altona, KY). Subsequent investigations over the last several days have indicated the single-skinned barge is of questionable integrity and has approx. 269,730 gallons of oily wastewater on board. The NOAA SSC was consulted on many issues including removal, sampling and analysis, waste characterization, resources at risk, river and weather forecast information, etc. RP removal plan is under review. Remote support from SSC ongoing.

On 30-JAN-2024, a tanker truck hose burst while transferring lubricating oil to a ship docked at the Port Hueneme Navy Yard. This caused a discharge of roughly 30 gallons of lube oil onto the ground, of which 20 gallons reportedly entered the water. A cleanup contractor has been hired and containment boom and sorbent materials have been deployed. An informal request for use of surface washing agent (SWA) was made for the purpose of de-contaminating the ship’s hull prior to departure. USCG and California’s Office of Spill Prevention & Response (OSPR) requested NOAA SSC input and an incident-specific RRT request for SWA use is anticipated.

On 30-JAN-2024, the NMFS Stranding Coordinator in CA contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a 35-foot-long gray whale carcass on Solano Beach, CA. The carcass will likely be towed offshore within 24 hours before high winds move into the area. NMFS requested a carcass drift estimate to aid in determining how far offshore to tow the carcass so it does not re-beach in the upcoming days.

On January 24, 2024, a barge collision on the San Jacinto River caused a hole in one tank of a barge, discharging approximately 400 bbls of naptha into the water (NRC#1390028). Sector Houston-Galveston contacted NOAA SSC for input on fate and effects. Phone support provided. OSROs responding, no further products requested.

On January 25, 2024, at approximately 1530 local, a 55-gallon drum containing an acid solution (concentration unknown) was dropped into the Corpus Christi Inner Harbor during vessel transfer operations at Cargo Dock 15. Drum was reported intact at the time it entered the water (NRC#1389950. Sector Corpus Christi contacted NOAA SSC to request evaluation of potential environmental impacts. SSC provided verbal evaluation to Sector Corpus Christi and is working with the Chem Team to refine the evaluation. The barrel was later recovered and confirmed to be phosphoric acid

On January 25, 2024, the Great Lakes SSC received a report from USCG Sector Northern Great Lakes of a 1/20/24 coke liquor spill from an Algoma Steel facility in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada to the St. Mary's River. The spilled quantity and contaminant concentration levels are unknown, but the coke liquor was reportedly spilled to the site's storm drain system and may have been partially treated before release to the river through the facility's wastewater treatment system. Canadian authorities have sampled the source and outfall. Those chemical analysis results are expected within 3 weeks. USCG is requesting information on contaminant levels of concern for coke liquor.

On January 24, 2024, USCG Sector Southeast Alaska reported they were responding to eight sunken vessels in/near Juneau, AK. The vessels are in Harris and Aurora Harbors near downtown Juneau and Statter Harbor in Auke Bay. The vessel sinkings are attributed to the heavy snow loads. Juneau has received over 28 inches of snow since Sunday, 1/21/2024. Sector SEAK requested assistance from the SSC to initiate an emergency Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

On 22-JAN-2024, the USCG IMD Astoria contacted the NOAA SSC about a fire at the Ilwaco Landing, on the Columbia River, WA. The fire started approx. 1100 this morning. There is an approx. 1700-lb. Freon tank, 2 15-gal. propane tanks, and a 50-gal. drum of hydraulic oil on site. An explosion was heard earlier, the fire is reported to be taking over cars on the pier, there are no reports of vessel impact yet. An NWS SPOT weather forecast and air dispersion modeling were requested.

The morning of 21-JAN-2024, USCG Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach contacted their NOAA SSC regarding an inland spill of roughly 1,200 gallons crude oil/water mixture. This inland spill resulted in oil entering a stormwater drain which discharged to the mouth of Dominguez Channel (in the innermost portions of the Port of Long Beach). Oil sheens have been observed in the water, but containment boom appears to be effective. The USCG requested a trajectory and possible threats to the Cabrillo Wetlands (4+ miles down channel).

NOTIFICATION ONLY Early in the morning of January 20, 2024, a barge allision at Magellan Terminals, located in the upper Houston Ship Channel, discharged an estimated 50 bbls of naptha into the channel. At time of Sector Houston's notification, discharge was partially contained, no support requested.

On January 18,2024, a TPIC facility in Sweet Lake, LA discharged an estimated 30 gallons of high paraffin crude oil into the water. On January 19, 2024 MSU Lake Charles requested review of the initial consultation request. NOAA SSC reviewed notification and provided comments.

On January 7, 2024, the USCG Sector New Orleans contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a reported discharge of oil that occurred this morning from a wellhead in vicinity of Coquille Bay, LA. No oil was observed at the wellhead location during an overflight around 1530 but a possible sheen (see photos) was reported aprox 3 miles north of the wellhead near an ongoing dredging operations (see photos). USCG is trying to determine if sheen is oil or possible false positive possibly associated with dredging operations (eg. sediment or other non oil sheen).

On January 4, 2024 emergency management offices in several counties in the Corpus Christi area received multiple reports of an unknown odor. Odor was described various ways, as sulfur- or ammonia like. No source has been identified. Initial reports were received beginning around 2100 local on January 3. NWS Corpus Christi received a request for an air plume reverse trajectory (hindcast) to assist in locating the source. Based on initial reverse trajectory and a review of NRC reports, no point source was identified. Air monitoring crews from TCEQ and multiple local agencies were in the field today, and the EPA Aspect aircraft has begun collecting data. As of the evening of January 4, odor has been reported in 7 counties. NOAA SSC is supporting remote.