Feed aggregator

The NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) for California received a Marine Pollution Surveillance Report (MPSR) for a discharge 7 nautical miles southeast of Santa Barbara, California. The report was categorized as high confidence and the source appears to be Platform B. The SSC contacted U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Santa Barbara. No other report of the discharge has been made and the USCG is contacting the operator of the facility.

On August 13, 2026, the Satellite Analysis Branch of NESDIS (the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service) issued a Marine Pollution Surveillance Report (MPSR) for a slick observed in block SOUTH PASS 29. The image was collected on August 12, 2026 at 2358 UTC via RADARSAT2. From the NESDIS report: Possible oil was observed in satellite imagery. This anomaly is unconfirmed as oil. The possible oil slick was observed in the South Pass area of the Gulf just south of the Louisiana Bird's Foot. It spanned an area that measured approximately 13.5 by 5 nautical miles. The possible slick was comprised of numerous segments that were mostly linear in shape, exhibiting good contrast and well defined edges. This was believed to be associated with a National Response Center report nearby. Due to the factors described above, confidence in this report was medium-high. Winds at the time of the imagery were out of the WSW at approximately 10-15 knots. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) requested trajectory analysis from NOAA. REPORT MAP/GIS FILES: https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/products/ocean/marinepollution/

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector St Petersburg, Florida inquired about sheens reported by NESDIS (NOAA's satellite office, the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service) and other observations near the southern extent of their area of responsibility in the Gulf (130 nm WNW of Key West, Florida). The location of these sheens is in the vicinity of two RULET vessels (Remediation of Underwater Legacy Environmental Threats; a database of potentially polluting sunken ships): the Norlindo and the Cudahy. Both vessels were documented as having heavy fuel oil (HFO, or "bunker") onboard. NOAA's Emergency Response Division has coordinated with NESDIS to assess the anomalies and forecast sheen movement and fate and effects of an HFO release that may occur or continue to sheen at the identified location.

A glacial lake outburst has occurred at Suicide Basin on the Mendenhall Glacier. The basin is releasing. Flooding is expected along Mendenhall Lake and River late Wednesday evening into early Thursday morning. A crest between 16.1 and 16.6 ft in Major Flood Stage is expected between 5 am and 9 am Thursday, 8/13/2026. People living in the potential inundation area (~1,900 residences) are advised to evacuate today (8/12/2026). No NOAA facilities are located in the evacuation area. Previous to this event, the U.S. Coast Guard requested guidance on the fate and trajectory of a worst case discharge of the fuel storage tanks in the inundation zone.

On August 8, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) regarding a report of tar balls of varying size along a 100-meter stretch of Spanish Bay, Asilomar Beach. The oil appeared to be quite weathered. The source is unknown, possibly from natural seeps. No additional support is anticipated at this time.

On August 7, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) of the 25-foot GRADY WHITE taking on water near Elk Horn Slough. The vessel was under tow and began taking on water and the tow was released. The vessel is reported to have 70 gallons of gasoline on board and is currently sheening. California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) is currently on scene. Further efforts to recover the vessel will take place tomorrow.

In the evening of August 6, 2026, Washington State notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) for the Northwest of an 82-foot wooden fishing vessel sinking at Fisherman's Terminal in Seattle. Reports of heavy sheen escaping the spill boom were relayed by U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the State On-Scene Coordinator (OSC). A worst-case discharge of 500+ gallons of diesel and 100 gallons of heavier lube oil is possible. The USCG requested trajectory analysis from NOAA.

On July 31, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) of a 30-foot vessel sinking in the Spindrift Marina in Isleton, California in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The vessel is currently releasing gasoline, creating a sheen moving downriver. Maximum fuel capacity is reported to be 320 gallons. The USCG is en route. No additional support from NOAA is anticipated.

On July 25, 2026, M/V THORCO LIVA transited to the Port of Port Arthur, Texas with 02 cargo holds contaminated with approximately 200 lbs of improperly applied Aluminum Phosphide as a fumigant. The cargo on this vessel is steel. During offloading operations while in port, the aluminum phosphide reacted with water and resulted in a fire in cargo hold 01. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is requesting from OR&R review of the decontamination processes and cleanup endpoints.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received a report from the Canadian Ice Service regarding an anomaly observed on satellite imagery west of Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. The anomaly is an area of 12.52 km² and 33.73 km long. USCG contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) requesting input from the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) as to whether this may be an oil sheen. NESDIS reported that the anomaly is not believed to be an oil spill or otherwise associated with ship-related pollution, as it does not exhibit the characteristics that are used to identify such events. The anomaly appears consistent with a standard vessel wake, rather than an oil discharge.

On July 23, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) of a sheen from an unknown source in Silver Bay, Sitka, Alaska. The National Response Center report stated a 100-yard sheen; however, the USCG on-scene found a sheen 1.5 miles long with a strong odor. There was heavy fog in the area, which limited the ability to investigate further. The USCG requested any satellite imagery to help identify the sheen source. Additional support may be requested as they assess the situation.

On July 20, 2026, the Canadian Ice Service (CIS), using a Radar Satellite Constellation, detected an anomaly in the waters of Norton Sound and notified the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). They believe it could possibly be an oil spill in the Sound. The anomaly is “well-contrasted against the ocean backscatter,” and approximately 7 km in length. The USCG requested that the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) contact NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) for their assessment of the observation. NESDIS scientists reported that the anomaly's characteristics indicate natural phenomena, such as organic material or algal blooms. They will continue to monitor the satellite imagery over the area to see if the anomaly dissipates or shifts, and they will update OR&R if their opinion changes.

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service technician discovered tarballs on Palisades Beach, Adak Island. Noted were tarballs up to 15 cm across, as well as thinly but regularly spread small oil droplets. The tarballs were slightly more solid than cold molasses, beading to thicknesses up to 1 cm. No oiled or dead birds or wildlife were observed. The area is heavily used by glaucous-winged gulls and common eiders. The U.S. Coast Guard requested assistance from NOAA in finding a source and next steps for the response.

OR&R's Hazmat Duty Officer (HDO) was notified by Washington State Department of Ecology (WAECY) of a 75-foot trawler sinking at the dock in Snohomish River near the intersection of Interstate-5 and Highway 2. The vessel is reported to contain 250 gallons of diesel fuel and other lube oils. WAECY is on scene. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and Global Diving & Salvage are en route. No additional NOAA support is requested at this time.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is responding to a sheen around the vessel Jaira Provider at a pier in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico since July 9, 2026. Sheen has apparently been emanating from bolts on the vessel. USCG has had putty placed around the bolts and boom deployed, but sheen is still observable. Captain of the Port orders have been issued to the vessel to address the situation. The 200-foot offshore supply vessel reportedly has 220,000 gallons of diesel onboard.

On July 10, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received reports of approximately 1 mile of oiled shoreline in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. The source of the oil is unknown. USCG is investigating and has hired an OSRO (oil spill removal organization) to conduct clean up. NOAA is assisting remotely.

On July 9, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Long Island Sound notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) about creosote leaking from their dock pilings. An OSRO (oil spill removal organization) is on-scene for cleanup. The SSC forwarded information on to NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division for its awareness.

On July 5, 2026 at 1600, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) about providing assistance for pollution target identification from Super Typhoon Bavi impacts. Virtual support from OR&R's Spatial Data Branch, including use of ERMA® (Environmental Response Management Application) as the common operating picture, was requested.

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector New York contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) about a raw sewage release from the Yonkers Wastewater Treatment Plant in Yonkers, New York on the Hudson River starting at approximately 0100 on July 3rd, 2026. The source is yet to be secured; however, they have been successfully manually treating the sewage since about 0200 on July 3rd. The plant typically processes about 145 million gallons of sewage per day. USCG is requesting a trajectory analysis for the raw sewage release (estimated to be approximately 35 million gallons) from about 0100 – 0200 on July 3rd.

On June 27, 2026, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Maryland-National Capital Region contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) about a mystery sheen in the Baltimore inner harbor. The origin of the sheen is unconfirmed, but suspected to be a foreign training vessel as part of Sail250, a global gathering of tall ships and military ships to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America's founding. The sheen was initially reported to USCG on June 26 and is estimated to be about 30 gallons. USCG federalized the response on June 26 and deployed 500 feet of containment boom and adsorbents around the suspected source. Small patches of emulsified oil were visible inside the boom containment. Maryland Department of Environment received reports of oiled birds. Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research has responded and recovered one mallard. At this time, oil appears to be contained and spill is not suspected to be active. No products were requested from USCG at this time.