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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.