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On March 27, 2024, the M/V Burns Harbour bottomed while loading cargo alongside the BNSF Pier at Duluth Harbor, near Superior, WI. There is no threat of pollution. Two hours prior, the M/V American Courage bottomed alongside its pier while loading in Marquette, MI, on the other side of Lake Superior. USCG Sector Northern Great Lakes contacted the SSC for assistance in communicating reported abnormally low lake levels. The SSC provided current and historical lake level information. Lake levels are not abnormally low, and this was likely not a primary contributing factor to the two vessels bottoming, despite the coincidental timing. The SSC provided information on the sedimentation, dredging, and survey of channels, harbors, and piers.

On March 27, 2024, the M/V American Courage bottomed while loading cargo alongside the Ore Pier at Presque Isle Harbor, near Marquette, MI. There is no threat of pollution. Two hours later, the M/V Burns Harbour bottomed alongside its pier while loading in Superior, WI, on the other side of Lake Superior. USCG Sector Northern Great Lakes contacted the SSC for assistance in communicating reported abnormally low lake levels. The SSC provided current and historical lake level information. Lake levels are not abnormally low, and this was likely not a primary contributing factor to the two vessels bottoming, despite the coincidental timing. The SSC provided information on the sedimentation, dredging, and survey of channels, harbors, and piers.

At 0600, USCG Sector Maryland notified the NOAA SSC that The Port of Baltimore is closed due to a major marine casualty. The 948-foot Singapore-flagged vessel DALI struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge. A safety zone is established for all navigable waters of the Chesapeake Bay within a 2000-yard radius of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Search and Rescue (SAR) operations are underway. Vessel has sustained major damage to the bow. An unknown number of containers fell into the water and a number of containers on board the vessel are damaged.

On March 25, 2024, the secondary containment at a tank battery owned by Denbury Resources discharged an estimated 3-5 bbls of crude oil and produced water mix into a drainage ditch leading to Horsepen Bayou, located in Harris County, TX . Sector Houston-Galveston responded as first Federal on-scene, EPA is arriving this evening to assume FOSC. OSRO is on-site and has deployed boom, vac trucks, and skimmers. The discharge is contained. Wildlife agencies (TPWD and USFWS) have been notified.

On 22-March-2024, NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations notified the SSC of a diesel spill that occurred during fueling of the NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson at MOC-A in Norfolk, VA. Per standard practice in this location, the ship was boomed by NOAA personnel prior to fueling. The camlock on the fueling barge failed, resulting in diesel release onto the barge, the NOAA vessel and in the Elizabeth River. Fueling operations were secured, the contractor and ship’s crew quickly deployed measures to absorb and mitigate the spread of spilled fuel, and an OSRO was site.

On the morning of 08-MAR-2024, USCG Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach contacted their NOAA SSC to request support for a 2.5 mile by 1.5 mile "sheen" about 2 miles off of Bolsa Chica wetlands. USCG requested trajectory support for potential impacts to local resources at risk.

On March 5, 2024, NOAA Fisheries Southeast contacted the NOAA SSC requesting a drift analysis for a 30-foot humpback whale carcass floating approximately 25 miles off the North Carolina coast, in the vicinity of the Outer Banks. The SSC contacted the ERD Oceanographer on call with the request.

Alaska SOSC and EPA FOSC contacted the Alaska SSC via email regarding a request from an RP to use in situ burning for a small volume of diesel fuel in ice. The RP reported that 10-gallons of diesel spilled onto a ice pad constructed on top of a frozen tundra pond. Some of the diesel drained deeper into the ice via ice cracks.

At 1110 on 26 February USCG Sector Southeast New England briefed the NOAA SSC on a sunken recreational vessel in the Seekonk River that was sheening. The USCG has taken over the spill response. The vessel is not believed to have any fuel on board, but could hold up to 200 gallons of diesel fuel.

On February 22, 2024, the US Navy Fleet Desk Officer contacted NOAA's Emergency Response Division requesting support with modeling and associated environmental impact for spill/release of 21,000 metric tons of fertilizer in the Gulf of Aden from a damaged freighter.

On 20 FEB 2024, USCG Sector Mobile contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a discharge of hydraulic fluid that occurred on 14 FEB from a jackup rig located at the Gulf State Park Pier. SSC provided fate information on hydraulic fluids.

Ship Grounding | Mona Island, Puerto Rico | August 2023 What Happened?

On 14 Feb 2024, The Coordinator for NOAA's Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program. Requested a hindmost model from ORR for a reported and confirmed whale strike. The request was forwarded to ORR oceanographers.

On 14 Feb 2024 USCG Sector San Juan reported they were responding to an abandoned drum on Mona Island. The contents of the drum were not known at the time. CG completed emergency consultation forms and distributed them to DOI, NOAA, USFES, and NMFS. The drum was removed without incident on 15 Feb. 2024

On 12 Feb 2024, the NOAA SSC received a notification from D9 DRAT that the 96' Pleasure Craft Helene was submerged alongside the Nicholson Terminal on the Detroit River. The SSC called the USCG Sector Detroit IMD Chief for further details. The vessel has been submerged for approximately 2 weeks, reported with no fuel reported and approx. 3 gallons of engine oil. The vessel area has been boomed and a light rainbow sheen has been observed. The vessel is expected to be raised the week of 12 Feb 2024. No support is requested at this time.

On February 10, 2024, the USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to report the grounding of the F/V ALEUTIAN STORM near Salmon Creek, just north of Bodega Bay, CA. The vessel was on the beach amidst the surf. No pollution was observed, but the vessel reportedly had 1,500 gallons of diesel on board. USCG sought oil fate & transport info in the event of a release prior to or during vessel salvage operations.

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.