Incident News

On July 13, 2018, USCG MSU Houma contacted the NOAA SSC regarding the discharge of crude oil from a transfer line in Terrebonne Bay due to a pinhole leak discovered at 1740CDT. The source has been reported to be secured. The USCG is requesting a fate, trajectory, and potential resources at risk.

On July 13, 2018, the USCG MSU Houma contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a 3mi x 2 mi oil discharge in within Vermillion Block 228, ~60mi off shore. The discharge is believed to be from a 10mi x 8" pipeline ~120 feet below the surface of the water. The USCG is requesting a fate and trajectory.

On July 9, 2018, USCG Sector North Carolina notified the NOAA SSC that lost containers resulting from a previous incident that took place off the coast of North Carolina in March 2018 are now spilling their contents. USCG Sector North Carolina has requested support to mitigate this threat to public safety, marine life and potentially the USS MONITOR NMS.

On July 4, 2018, the USCG Sector Honolulu has notified the NOAA SSC for the Pacific Islands that the 83-foot steel-hulled Longliner SEA GODDESS grounded early this morning off the middle of the reef runway at the Honolulu Airport. No sheen or oil release has been observed or reported at this time. The vessel is reported to be carrying 8000 gallons of diesel and 500 gallons of oily waste. A trajectory analyses in the event of release was requested.

On July 02, 2018, the F/V LEONA, a 33' wooden fishing vessel with approximately 140 gallons of diesel fuel onboard, began taking on water. Searches by USCG MSD Sitka (via vessel) and Air Station Sitka (via Helicopter) observed a sheen on the water approximately 2 miles long by 30 meters wide but were unable to locate the vessel and it is presumed to have sank. USCG MSD Sitka requested a fates and trajectory analysis for this event.

On June 26, 2018 a an unconfirmed amount ("small") of #6 oil discharged from the Tanker New Constellation during bunkering operations due to a leak in the line. The NOAA SSC was contacted on 2 JUL 2018 regarding use of surface washing agent to remove weathered oil from manmade structures along the pier as conventional removal methods have proven inadequate to meet cleanup endpoints.

On July 02, 2018, the USCG Sector Detroit contacted the NOAA SSC about an abandoned warehouse that was destroyed in a fire on June 22, 2018. Damaged fuel tanks at the site resulted in an unknown amount of #2 home heating oil being discharged into the Black River. The estimated remaining potential is 120,000 gallons in 6 unruptured tanks. USCG is requesting resources at risk and response strategies.

On July 1, 2018, the USCG Sector San Francisco staff contacted their NOAA SSC about the vessel “Dickey Bird” that had been the subject of a search and rescue case, but was now broken up offshore near Grotto Beach near Santa Cruz, CA. The vessel is believed to contain 40 gallons of diesel fuel. Given the proximity to sensitive shorelines, the USCG requested information on oil fate & transport.

On June 27, 2018, the NOAA SSC was contacted by USCG Sector Houston-Galveston regarding the discharge of crude oil into the water in the vicinity of Tabbs Bay, TX. OMI has been contracted to conduct the cleanup. There have been no reports of oiled wildlife.

On June 27, 2018, the USCG contacted the NOAA SSC regarding the discharge of crude oil (API 31.7) into Black Lake, LA. The discharge was reported to be caused by a pinhole leak in the line from the wellhead just before the line enters the heat exchanger from where it is transferred to the tank battery. The source has been reported as secured. The USCG is working with the RP in the recovery and cleanup of the discharged oil. The USCG has requested a trajectory and Resources at Risk.

On June 25, 2018, MSU Port Arthur contacted the NOAA SSC for evaluation of potential listed species present at Sea Rim State Park, TX, where a vehicle with a potential of 15-20 gallons of gasoline was stranded in the surf zone. No sheening has been observed. Phone support provided. Owner will attempt to recover vehicle.

On June 22, 2018, the NOAA SSC was contacted by the FL Keys National Marine Sanctuary to report a large algal bloom and associated fish kill that began on June 21 and is continuing. ORR is checking with NESDIS and NCCOS for remote imagery and HABS monitoring information that could help define the bloom area that could then be modeled for a trajectory.

On the morning of June 18th, 2018, the M/V Paul R. Tregurtha, a 1,013 foot bulk carrier suffered an engine room fire. The vessel is carrying 68,200 tons of coal, 124,000 gallons of fuel, and 90,000 gallons of caustic soda. USCG has requested a trajectory and fate and effects for caustic soda and intermediate fuel oil. No reports of pollution, all crewmembers accounted for.

On June 17, 2018, M/V American Spirit ran aground while approaching Duluth Harbor, MN. Vessel is reported to be carrying 110,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil. There are reports of a potential spill and a smell of fuel oil. MSU Duluth is requesting trajectory, fate and effects, and resources at risk.

On June 14, 2018, the NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) identified a 6.5nm mystery slick 68 miles off the Louisiana coast. The DOI Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) conducted an overflight and the USCG requested trajectory and fate.

On June 13, 2018, the NOAA SSC was notified of a release of 250 gal of #6 fuel oil that occurred on May 29, 2018 from the boiler house of the Omni Mount Washington Hotel. The oil beneath the boiler house migrated to the adjacent wetlands and possibly impacted the Ammonoosuc River. NOAA was contacted by NH Fish & Game for assistance in considering restoration option for a freshwater marsh.

On June 12, 2018, the Environment & Climate Change Canada's iSTOP satellite service notified the National Response Center (NRC) of an anomaly (believed to be oil) off the mid-Atlantic bight.. The USCG is investigating and contacted NOAA for additional information.

On June 12, 2018, the USCG notified the NOAA SSC that a non-producing (shut in) well was leaking from the well casing and had released an estimated 2-4 bbls of crude oil into Timbalier Bay, LA.

On June 08, 2018, the National Response Center received a report that the laden tanker MV Seavoyager had grounded 27 nautical miles southeast of Galveston, TX. The incident occurred on June 07, 2018 at 9:36 p.m. CT as the vessel was departing the Galveston area. The vessel was later refloated and taken to the Galveston Fairway anchorage for further survey. No pollution was detected. All tanks were sounded with no discrepancies observed. A Coast Guard overflight confirmed there was no visible discharge from the vessel.

On June 7, 2018, the M/V Sunfighter struck the Breton Sound 18 platform owned by Lobo Operating, Inc.. An estimated 20 bbls of crude oil was released into Breton Sound. The USCG requested a trajectory and fate analysis.