Incident News
Silver sheen, Breton Sound Block 27a, LA USA
On October 16, 2019, the USCG Sector New Orleans Incident Management Division (IMD) was notified of a sheen observed by an overflight on 15OCT19 at 1504 CST, originating from a well head in Breton Sound.
Hilcorp Energy Berrwood E-5 Facility Spill, Gulf of Mexico
On October 15, 2019, Sector New Orleans Incident Management Division (IMD) received a report of a discharge of crude oil from a flare associated with the Berrwood E-5 facility, owned/operated by Hilcorp Energy, located in Southwest Pass MM 13 (E5 Canal). The incident occurred due to an unknown cause.
Sunken Fishing Vessel AMAK, Garibaldi, OR
Monday, October 14, 2019 at 1044 - USCG Sector Columbia River notified NOAA ERD of a 65-foot commercial fishing vessel carrying a maximum of 1000 gallons of diesel has sunk in the port of Garibaldi, Oregon. Cleanup is underway and Resources at Risk have been requested.
Sunken Rec Vessel, San Bernard, TX, Gulf of Mexico
On October 10, 2019, late in the evening, the sailing vessel Quickxotic sank approximately 2 nautical miles offshore of the mouth of the San Bernard River, with 150 gallons of diesel on board. There has been no evidence of a discharge. Vessel is in the same general area as a grounded rec vessel also reported this morning. Phone support provided.
Grounded Rec Vessel, San Bernard, TX, Brazoria County, TX, USA
On October 11, 2019, MSU Texas City contacted NOAA SSC about a cabin cruiser, Cheap Wine, grounded on an offshore sandbar near the mouth of the San Bernard River. Vessel reported to be carrying 150 gallons of diesel. Vessel had not discharged at the time of the call. Advice on fate and effects of diesel requested and provided.
Corpus Christi Inner Harbor Mystery Spill, Corpus Christi, TX
On October 10, 2019 Sector Corpus Christi notified NOAA SSC about an ongoing incident in the Corpus Christi Inner Harbor. Sector Corpus initially responded to a mystery discharge on September 25, 2019. Discharge continued, and appears to be from saturated soils around a buried pipeline. A pinhole leak was discovered in the pipeline and has been patched.
Mystery Spill, Brazil, Multiple coastal States
Brazilian officials are investigating wide-spread tar balls affecting dozens of beaches along the country's north-eastern coast. The oil was first detected on September 2, 2019, and oil has now been detected in at least 105 locations spanning eight states and almost 1000 miles of shoreline. This hotline has been opened to capture information about the incident.
M/V RT. HON. PAUL J. MARTIN Aground, Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, Canada
On the morning of October 7th, 2019, USCG Sector Buffalo notified SSC that the M/V RT. HON. PAUL J. MARTIN ran aground in the Saint Lawrence Seaway approximately 12NM North of Ogdensburg, NY near Galop Island. The vessel is taking on water at a negligible rate in the forepeak. Fuel tanks have been sounded and the crew is monitoring the ballast tanks. No pollution is present.
TPIC Platform Pipeline Release Block 69, Venice, LA 70091, USA
On 07OCT19 USCG Sector New Orleans IMD received a report at ~0855 of 1 - 3 bbl crude oil released into a marsh area in the Gulf of Mexico. The cause of the release was due to a seal on a pipeline located in a platform. Fate, trajectory, and resources at risk has been requested .
Phillips 66 Refinery Spill, Belle Chasse , LA 70036, USA
02 Oct 2019 USCG received notification of a crude oil spill at the Phillip 66 Refinery in Belle Chasse, LA. NOAA SSC assisting with coordination and assessment.
Gray Whale Carcass Movement, Cook Inlet, AK
NMFS is requesting a trajectory analysis for a gray whale carcass observed in Cook Inlet on June 17 to see if it may or may not be the same gray whale carcass observed on June 27 and then on July 11. The size and state of decomp make this a possibility. Trajectory analysis may confirm.
OSK Dock Collapse, Nikiski, AK
On 1-Oct-2019, USCG reported that the OSK Dock at Nikiski collapsed in heavy weather, rupturing a fuel pipeline and causing a release of diesel. Estimated release is 300 gallons of diesel.
Sunken Towing Vessel ITV ROY H., Morris, IL
On the morning of September 30, 2019, the towing vessel ITV ROY H. sank with 3000 gallons of diesel on board. The fuel tanks were plugged and valves shut off. USCG and Salvage contractors on-scene.
Sunken Dredge Tender, Calcasieu Channel, Louisiana
On October 1, 2019, a tender sank in Calcasieu Channel, carrying an estimated 100 gallons of diesel and 30 gallons of engine oil. MSU Lake Charles contacted NOAA SSC for advice on where to look for oil at first light. Sheen visible near vessel. Extent of discharge unknown. Advice on recommended search area provided.
Capsized Vessel near Duluth Harbor, Duluth, MN
On September 30, 2019 a vessel capsized and sank near Duluth in rough weather. The vessel was carrying 30 gallons of gasoline and two 12V batteries on-board.
Vessel Lucky Nguyen allision with well head, LA, USA
On September 28, 2019, the USCG was notified that vessel Lucky Nguyen allided with a plugged and abandoned well west of Southwest Pass. USCG planning salvage operations. Small quantity of diesel discharged from fishing vessel. Diesel contained within boom. SSC providing site conditions, including weather forecast.
Mystery Release Port Fourchon, Golden Meadow, LA, USA
25 Sept 2017, USCG MSU Houma received notification of a mystery product in a drainage ditch adjacent to Bayou Lafourche, Port Fourchon, LA. A black product with a very strong odor impacted less than 1 mile of the drainage ditch. The product is contained by earthen dam. A responsible party has not yet been identified. USCG hired a contractor to conduct the clean up. USCG has requested assistance from NOAA to characterize the mystery product , determine toxicity of the product and recommend cleanup activities. SSC will provide on-scene support.
Sunken F/V Chocolate Bayou, Chocolate Bayou TX 77577, USA
On September 23, 2019, the USCG Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Texas City contacted the NOAA SSC about a sunken fishing vessel in Chocolate Bayou. Vessel is carrying 300-400 gallons of engine oil, 50-75 gallons of diesel, and 30 gallons on hydraulic fluid. No tank discharge has occurred, vessel is sheening. MSU Texas City has engaged an OSRO to remove pollution and requested input on environmental sensitivities.
San Jacinto River Fleet Incident, Channelview, TX
On September 20, 2019, the USCG Sector Houston notified the Texas SSC that at least 5 barges broke this morning due to flooding conditions. There is no reported pollution at this time. Responders are engaged but the situation is difficult due to high water. A partial list of products on the barges include 1 barge with 10,000 bbls of naptha, 1 barge with 10,000 bbls of lube oil, 1 barge with 17,000 bbls of monoethylgycol, and 2 barges each with 10,000 bbls of soybean oil. USCG has requested trajectories for the lube oil and naptha cargoes.
M/V BRANDON G. BUCHANAN, Mississippi River Mile Marker 387
On September 19, 2019, the USCG Sector Lower MS River notified the NOAA SSC of a sunken barge carrying 3,200 tons of Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN) located at mile marker 387 on the MS River. SSC provide initial fate and behavior analysis.