Feed aggregator

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.

On June 25, 2026, NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division requested a drift analysis for a dead whale, suspected to be a humpback. OR&R oceanographers provide a drift scenario to assist.

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Key West contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) on June 25, 2026 to inquire about multiple NESDIS (National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service) reports in an area about 100 miles off Key West in Area/Block Dry Tortugas 493. The USCG believed the source of these anomalies could be from a RULET vessel (Remediation of Underwater Legacy Environmental Threats; a joint database developed by NOAA and USCG) north of the reported site. OR&R trajectory assessments do not indicate that the anomalies originated from any known RULET target. Further investigation shows that anomalies in this area have occurred for a long period, dating back to 2018. OR&R is coordinating with the USCG and NESDIS to further evaluate a potential source location for the origin of these anomalies and evaluate further investigative and response actions.

On June 25, 2026, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) about a fire in the FCC (Fluid Catalytic Cracking) unit pump room at the Monroe Energy refinery in Delaware County. The fire resulted in an oil spill. Fire-fighting foam was also used as part of the response. The USCG provided a briefing to the SSC; no products were requested initially.

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Safety Detachment (MSD) Ketchikan contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) regarding a mystery sheen in Tongass Narrows, near Thomas Harbor, Alaska. The sheen is approximately 1 km long, with diesel odors onshore in Ketchikan and across the Narrows on Pennock Island. USCG is requesting support to identify a potential source location and volume of the discharge.

The NOAA Alaska Regional Coordinator contacted the Scientific Support Coordinator regarding a crash of a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) MH-60 helicopter near Sitka Alaska, asking if NOAA was providing any support to the incident. The USCG confirmed that the four crew members received only minor injuries. The crash site is approximately 3 miles from the Sitka Airport in mountainous terrain. The USCG has no requests for support at this time.

On June 11, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received notification of an oil spill in Johnson Bayou, Louisiana. An estimated less than 50 barrels of oil spilled into the marsh and shoreline adjacent to the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. An estimated 120 barrels are in containment berm to be pumped by an oil spill removal organization (OSRO). The USCG and OSRO are onsite conducting cleanup. The NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) is responding remotely. The responsible party is Apollo Energy.

On June 15, 2026, the Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) for the Pacific Northwest was notified of a grounded sailing vessel, Caleb Ruffa. The vessel contains diesel and other assorted products on board. The U.S. Coast Guard requested assistance with ESA (Endangered Species Act) consultation.

On June 13, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) notified NOAA of a sunken fishing vessel at the marina in Santa Cruz Harbor. A "worst case" discharge is reported as 150 gallons of diesel fuel. The vessel is currently boomed with sorbent material. USCG pollution investigators are en route to assess the situation.

On June 13, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) regarding a sunken Sea Tow vessel near Cape Aialik (near Resurrection Bay / Seward, Alaska). The Sea Tow vessel was responding to a disabled sail boat when it sank. NOAA provided a spot weather forecast at the request of the USCG.

On June 11, 2026, multiple NESDIS (National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service) satellite reports indicated a potential spill in northern Breton Sound and identified a potential source. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) confirmed the source as a WCC (WESCO International, Inc.) flow line in Main Pass block 21. WCC has secured the release and the sheen is expected to dissipate without impact to shoreline. No further requests for NOAA support at this time.

A mystery sheen has occurred near the former Seal Island oil exploration site in the Beaufort Sea, west of Prudhoe Bay. Sheen has been observed at this site in summer months since 2024. The source is unknown. Alaska Clean Seas is conducting cleanup operations of the recoverable oil emerging from the ice.

On June 10, 2026, two satellite reports from NESDIS (National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service) indicated that a potential 25 nautical mile oil slick and sheen was present in the Main Pass area. A BSEE (Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement) overflight confirmed an oil spill in this area. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) investigated oil production assets in the vicinity of the report. TPIC confirmed they had a spill from a platform, with the reported quantity spilled as 0.16 gallons. NESDIS imagery confirms the quantity spilled is greater than 0.16 gallons. TPIC reported that the release is secured. No additional requests for NOAA support at this time.

At approximately 2:30am on June 5, 2026, 12 recreational vessels caught fire at Cottage Park Yacht Club in Winthrop, Massachusetts. As of 6am, the majority of the fires had been extinguished, multiple vessels had sunk at the dock, and two vessels had broken from their moorings and were aground on Snake Island. U.S. Coast Guard Sector Boston contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) to request fate and trajectory information. The SSC prepared a Resources at Risk report and developed trajectory and fate analyses. This information, along with information about the fate and transport of small diesel spills, was shared with USCG Sector Boston.

Oil Spill | Elwha, Washington | July 2025 - Present What Happened?

On July 18, 2025, a dual-trailer tanker truck owned and operated by PetroCard rolled over on U.S. Highway 101. It entered Indian Creek in Clallam County, Washington, and discharged petroleum products into the creek, the Elwha River, surface waters, sediments, and soils, and onto adjacent lands. 

On May 29, 2026, the Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) for U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Northwest District was notified of a mystery bunker oil spill at a historic pier in Astoria, Oregon. Later in the day, the USCG requested phone support on how best to contain and mitigate spill after conditions deteriorated over the afternoon. Spill quantity is unknown but remains confined to the pier. The source origin is suspected to be corroded fuel piping no longer in use. The SSC is providing virtual support.

On the morning of May 26, 2026, the Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) for Northwest District was notified by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) of an explosion at a paper mill plant. The "worst case" discharge is 800,000 of White Liquor, a caustic sodium solution used in paper pulp processing. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USCG, and Washington State are all working with the SSC to respond. The EPA and USCG have requested modeling by the Interagency Modeling and Atmospheric Assessment Center (IMAAC) via the NOAA SSC.

On May 22, 2026, the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) was notified by California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) that a crude oil pipeline was ruptured during construction activities. An unknown quantity of oil has reached the Los Angeles River. U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach is monitoring the situation, but for now, the discharge remains outside of USCG jurisdiction. The NOAA SSC remains in contact with USCG. No immediate assistance from NOAA has been requested.

On May 19, 2026 the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received notification of a crude oil spill from an out-of-service tank at the TPIC Main Pass 69 Central facility. An estimated 50 barrels of oil spilled into adjacent marsh, shell beach, and water. TPIC is investigating the exact source location. An oil spill removal organization (OSRO) is onsite, conducting the cleanup. The NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) is responding on-site.

On May 19, 2026, the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) for Oceania was notified of a diesel discharge in Ala Wai Harbor in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii. Suspected cause was due to an improper fuel transfer. The U.S. Coast Guard requested assistance with resources at risk (RAR) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation.