Office of Response and RestorationIncident News
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Diesel Discharge, Lower Mississippi River MM125, Mississippi River, Hahnville, LA , USA
On December 18, 2018 Sector New Orleans notified the NOAA SSC about a diesel discharge resulting from a vessel allision at MM125 on the Lower Mississippi River, right descending bank. Sheening reported, amount of discharge unknown at time of notification. Damaged tank has been lightered, with no sheen observed following lightering. Sector New Orleans is sending a pollution response team for on-site evaluation. No products requested.
Corpus Christi Ship Channel Vacuum Oil Discharge, Corpus Christi, TX , USA
On December 17, 2018, at approximately 0330 CT, a barge discharged a reported 120 gallons (~3 bbls) of vaccum gas oil onto the deck of the barge due to a tank overflow. An estimated 15-25 gallons was discharged to the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, in Corpus Christi’s Inner Harbor. Sector Corpus Christi has requested assistance from NOAA SSC regarding clean-up methods for the barge deck. Proposed methods include potential addition of diesel to improve flowability of product, and potential use of Surface Washing Agents. Both measures are for deck only, with no intended discharge to surface waters. Phone support provided, no on-scene requests.
FV Atlantic Sapphire, Georges Bank
Ob December 13, 2018, the NOAA SSC was contacted by Canadian Coast Guard regarding the sinking of the FV Atlantic Sapphire near the US/Canada border in heavy seas. The crew was rescued and the vessel sank with 8000 liters (2113 gallons) of diesel fuel. The sinking is almost 150 miles from the US coast and over 100 miles from the Canadian coast. Canadian Coast Guard to overfly the region.
DOD-contracted Aircraft crash, off Honolulu, Hawaii
The afternoon of December 12 at about 1500 HST, a DOD-contracted aircraft crashed approximately two miles off the reef runway on the south shore of Oahu, Hawaii. The aircraft was reported to be carrying 900 gallons of fuel. An assessment of whether fuel or aircraft debris could impact shorelines was requested.
FV Nordic Viking, Seward, AK
On 9-Dec-2018, FV Nordic Viking, a tender/processor, sank at the T Dock in Seward Harbor. The vessel is reported to be 76'. The vessel owner indicated that there was about 700 gallons of marine diesel on board the vessel (capacity 2,000 gallons). Absorbent boom was placed at the dock. Before booming a rainbow sheen ~60' by 1500' was observed. The sheen reportedly had black oil as well. NOAA SSC is consulting with the ADEC.
Lake Washington Wellhead Blow Out LW21RASU, Port Sulphur, LA 70083, USA
On December 9, 2018, the USCG Sector New Orleans contacted the NOAA SSC regarding an equipment failure on a wellhead casing in Lake Washington/Rattlesnake Bayou. The discharge amount is estimated to be ~129bbls of crude/water/gas per day. The source was not reported as secured. USCG is requesting a trajectory and potential resources at risk.
FV Kathleen Manasquan Inlet, NJ, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ USA
At 0700 on 8 December 2018, USCG Sector Delaware Bay notified the NOAA SSC that a fishing vessel sank in the Manasquan Inlet, New Jersey. The vessel had 800 gallons of diesel fuel on board. USCG requested SSC to go on-scene to support response. No products requested at this time.
F/V JEANETTE, American Samoa
On December 5, 2018, the JEANETTE, a 228' commercial fishing vessel, caught fire in Pago Pago harbor and was towed out of the harbor for safety reasons. On December 6, 2018, the vessel sank at 1139 Hawaii Time approximately 17 NM southeast of Pago Pago, American Samoa. It was reported to be carrying as much as 90,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 300 gallons of gasoline. A trajectory forecast was requested.
TPIC Bayou Des Allemands Crude Spill, Des Allemands, LA, USA
On December 3, 2018, the USCG notified the NOAA SSC that 6.25 bbs of crude oil discharged from a TPIC facility near Salvador Wildlife Management Area. USCG requested trajectory and Resources at Risk.
Barge Dredge 200, 5 miles east of Boston Harbor
On December 2, 2018, the work barge "Dredge 200" while under tow in rough weather capsized and began to sink 5 miles east of the entrance to Boston Harbor. USCG Sector Boston contacted the NOAA SSC for support on the diesel and lube oil fates..
PACIFIC SHARAV Drilling Mud Release, GoM
On December 1, 2018, the USCG notified NOAA SSC of a release of synthetic oil based mud to the seafloor. Drilling Rig Pacific Sharav made an emergency disconnect from the well head (6,800ft depth) due to rough seas and 90kt winds. Approximately 2282bbl of mud was released from the bottom of the riser. The drill ship later hooked back into the well without further incident. No sheen or evidence of product at the surface has been reported.
Ruptured Natural Gas Line, Belle Isle, MI, Detroit, MI
On the evening of November 29, 2018, USCG Detroit notified SSC of a ruptured natural gas pipeline located along the southwestern side of the MacArthur Bridge. The DTE gas main is 6" in diameter and has a max discharge potential of 1,000,000 cubic feet over a 4-5 hour period. USCG is requesting plume modeling and fate and effects.
Hilcorp Burwood W-5 Facility, Venice, LA 70091, USA
On November 28, 2018, the USCG Sector New Orleans contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a discharge of crude oil from an overflow on a storage tank associated with the Burwood W-5 facility. The USCG is requesting a trajectory analysis using information from overflights that were made throughout the day. NRC#1231481.
Breton Sound Discharge Block 21 and 32, Breton Sound, Louisiana
On November 28, 2018, USCG Sector NOLA contacted the NOAA RRO regarding a reported unsecured well discharging oil in the vicinity of Breton Sound lease blocks 21 and 32. The discharge was noticed during a USCG flight. A subsequent overflight later the same day confirmed the well was still discharging. The sheen is approximately 15nm by 50 ft heading in the easterly direction. USCG is requesting a fate and trajectory as well as potential resources at risk.
Vessel Discharge Ohio River, Greenup, KY, Greenup, KY
On November 28, 2018, USCG contacted SSC about two derelict vessels Misty Liz (45 ft) and Misty Dawn (55 ft) moored on the Ohio River (Mile marker 336.5) that are actively discharging. Each vessel contains approximately 200 gallons of diesel fuel. There is approximately 15 gallons in the water. USCG is requesting trajectory, and fate and effects.
Chemical Leak, New Castle, DE, US-40, New Castle, DE 19720, USA
On November 23, 2018 at 8:00pm, USCG Sector Delaware Bay notified the NOAA SSC about a chemical spill from the Croda Chemical Plant, New Castle, DE. Release has resulted in the Delaware Memorial Bridge being shut down in both directions.
TPIC Lake Pagie ISB 2018, near Dulac, Louisiana
On November 15, 2018, USCG notified the NOAA SSC that an estimated 10 bbl of crude oil discharged into an unnamed marsh in the Lake Paige Oil and Gas Field between Bay Long and Jug Lake. The oil came from a flow line owned by Texas Petroleum Investment Corporation (TPIC). On Nov 16 2018, an additional 30-40 bbl of oil was discovered trapped in the floating marsh.
Jack Boat Ram XVII, 23 nautical miles west of Southwest Pass, Louisiana, Gulf of Mexico
On November 18, 2018, a leg on the 134-foot Jack boat RAM XVII malfunctioned resulting in the vessel tilting at a 45 degree angle and taking on water. The vessel reportedly has 17,000 gallons of diesel onboard. The USCG requested trajectory for worst case discharge. There are currently no reports of discharge.
High Island #24 Platform, 6 miles offshore of Port Arthur, TX
On November 16, 2018, the NOAA SSC was contacted by USCG MSU Port Arthur regarding a sheen app. 15mi x 100ft located in the Gulf of Mexico. The Discharge was reported to have started on 15NOV2018. The USCG has requested a trajectory and fate for the discharge.
F/V Aaron and Melissa II, 50 miles east of Rockland, ME
On November 14, 2018, the 76 foot fishing vessel Aaron and Melissa II sank approximately 50 miles east of Rockland, Maine in 88 fathoms (500+ feet) of water. All hands were rescued from the sea and the ship went down with an estimated 3-5 thousand gallons of diesel fuel on-board. The NOAA SSC was contacted on that afternoon for for oil fate and movement support and a discussion of resources at risk.