Incident News
Pleasure Craft MARCHELLE aground, West side of Catalina Island, CA
On the morning of 30-NOV-2019, the 33ft Pleasure Craft MARCHELLE ran aground on the west side of Catalina Island (near Two Harbors) with a maximum potential of 800 Gallons of diesel on board. At the time, a 1/4 mile sheen was observed leading to the west at high tide. On the morning of 02-DEC-2019, USCG Sector LA/Long Beach contacted the NOAA SSC to request a worst case (800 gallon) trajectory estimate in the event a release occurs during salvage operations scheduled for 1300 hrs on 02-DEC-2019.
TPC Port Neches Explosion, Nederland, Texas
On November 27, 2019, a tank at the TPC facility in Port Neches, TX exploded. Current reports indicate the tank contained butadiene. Facility caught fire. MSU Port Arthur contacted NOAA SSC to request air plume model. NOAA SSC has coordinated with NWS Lake Charles, and provided Hysplit model to MSU Port Arthur, along with chemical information for butadiene.
Kitoi Bay Hatchery Release, Afognak Island, AK
On 22-Nov-2019, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) reported a diesel fuel release at the Kitoi Bay Fish Hatchery in kodiak. The fuel leak was detected on 20-Nov during a fuel transfer to an underground storage tank. The release is estimated to be from 200 to 1000 gallons. MSD Kodiak is leading the case for the USCG.
Tugboat Miss Bonnie Allision, Oregon Inlet, NC, Herbert C. Bonner Bridge, Oregon Inlet, NC
On 17 November, 2019, the USCG Sector North Carolina notified the NOAA SSC that they were responding to the allision of the tugboat, Miss Bonnie with the Old Bonner Bridge in Oregon Inlet. The incident occurred around noontime today. The tugboat has an estimated 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board.
Crowley Barge 650-2 Crude Oil Spill, Anacortes, WA
Saturday, November 16, 2019 3:14 AM - An estimated 20 gallons of Alaska North Slope Crude was spilled onto the deck of a barge during transfer operations in North Puget Sound, Washington. It was estimated that 5 gallons entered the water. On Sunday morning, Washington State's Department of Ecology gave final approval of the cleanup. Investigation into root cause is ongoing.
OSV BOTRUC 22 spill, off Sabine Pass, TX
ON November 14, 2019, the USCG Marine Safety Detachment Port Arthur received a report of a tug & barge colliding with the Offshore Vessel BOTRUC 22 outside of Sabine Pass, TX. No spill was reported from the tug & barge, but the OSV reportedly spilled 700 gallons diesel from a tank with the maximum capacity of 6,000 gallons. USCG requested oil fate & general direction information.
Recreational vessel TUSSLER sunk, off La Jolla, CA
On November 13, 2019, the 66’ recreational vessel TUSSLER sank at roughly 17.5 NM due west of La Jolla, CA. The vessel was reportedly carrying 800 gallons diesel fuel and no sheen/slick was observed when she went down. USCG Sector San Diego contacted their NOAA SSC to request trajectory support in the event the vessel leaks.
Onyx Grounding, Strait Island, AK
On November 9, 2019, at approximately 1730, the 33-foot, wooden-hulled vessel ONYX ran aground on Strait Island on SE Alaska. The vessel owner stated that he heard a pop and then ran the vessel aground to keep from sinking. CG helo rescued him from the rocks. The Onyx had approximately 100 gallons of Diesel; 1 gallon of hydraulic oil; 02 batteries and 03 gallons of lube oil. The USCG is requesting a trajectory and fates analysis and weather conditions for the vicinity.
TPIC Bayou Perot ISB 2019, Delta Farms, Barataria, LA
On November 9, 2019, the Texas Petroleum Investment Company (TPIC) discovered a flowline Delta Farm #96 Well developed a leak and released oil into a floating marsh. Less than 1 acre of marsh has been impacted. The current estimate of discharged oil is less than 10bbs.
F/V Miss Haley sunk, off Northern CA
On November 10, 2019, the USCG Sector San Francisco notified the NOAA SSC that the F/V Miss Haley broke up and sank roughly 14 NM from shore and 28 NM WNW of Bodega Head. The max potential fuel volume on board is believed to be 17,000 gallons diesel. USCG Sector San Francisco requested oil fate & transport information due it’s location within a National Marine Sanctuary.
Calcasieu Ship Channel Discharge, Lake Charles, LA
On November 7, 2019, MSU Lake Charles contacted NOAA SSC to request a trajectory and resources at risk analysis for a discharge of Louisiana Sweet Crude discharged from a pipeline. Discharge began approximately 2300 on November 5, 2019. Source is secure. Total discharge volume unknown at time of request.
HFO Spill, Honolulu Harbor, HI, Honolulu Harbor near Piers 19 and 20, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA
On November 6, 2019, the USCG Sector Honolulu received notification a spill of 15 barrels of Heavy Fuel Oil in the vicinity of Piers 19 and 20 in Honolulu Harbor. The amount released was subsequently adjusted down to 2 barrels. The release was to be contained within boom. Trajectory support was requested.
F/V FT Pierce Lady, Atlantic Ocean
On November 1, 2019, the USCG Sector Miami notified the SSC that the 65 foot wooden fishing vessel Ft Pierce Lady sank 35 miles east of Elliott Key with 1200 gallons of diesel, 22 gallons of gasoline, and 40 gallons of paint onboard. USCG requested a spill trajectory for the incident.
James River, Virginia Diesel Oil Spill, Hampton, VA, USA
On Sunday, 27 October, 2019, both USCG Sector HamptonRoads and Virginia DEQ notified the NOAA SSC about an oil spill in the vicinity of Outlook Beach, located near the mouth of the James River. Both source and volume spilled are unknown. The product appears to be diesel fuel.
TPIC Breton Sound 37 Facility Spill, LA, USA
On October 27, 2019, the USCG notified the NOAA SSC of an 8 mile mystery sheen in Breton Sound in the vicinity of the Chandeleur Islands. Later confirmed that source of sheen was a damaged TPIC wellhead 37. USFW is engaged and providing remote support. NOAA provided initial trajectory and will continue support.
Whitney Oil & Gas TB49 Spill, Venice, LA, USA
On October 27, 2019, the USCG was notified of a discharge of crude oil from Whitney Oil & Gas Tank Battery 49 into the Pass A Loutre Wildlife Management Area.
Calpine Corp: Propylene Glycol, 9 Bridge St, Weymouth, MA, USA
On October 27, 2019, the Calpine Corp. in Weymouth, Ma reported to the USCG that it accidentally released 500-1000 gallons of propylene glycol into into storm drains on the property that eventually lead to the Fore River and into the Boston outer harbor. Sector Boston contacted the NOAA SSC for information on the fate and toxicity of the product.
Grounded Sailboat, Maui, Hawaii, Lahaina, HI , USA
On 10/24/2019, the USCG Sector Honolulu has notified the NOAA SSC that a 35 foot sailing vessel ran aground about 1 mile North of Olowalu Maui and is on the beach/rocks. There are approximately 150 gallons of diesel on board. They report a small discharge of either diesel or lube oil. USCG is concerned that incoming surf may cause the vessel to break up if not removed before tonight. They are en route to pump the fuel off the vessel. A trajectory and oil persistence report were requested.
LPG Tanker EPIC BALTA Fire, Venice, LA, USA
On October 22, 2019, the USCG notified the NOAA SSC of LPG Tanker MV EPIC BALTA on fire at Pilottown, LA near Pass a Loutre State Wildlife Management Area. USCG requesting fate and trajectory
Sunken Fishing Vessel FURIOUS SEAS, Ferndale, WA
Monday, October 21, 2019 at 1500 PDT - NOAA ERD was notified of a 55-foot fishing vessel that sank near Sandy Point Marina, Ferndale, Washington. The fuel tanks are reported to be empty and only a small sheen is observed above the sunken vessel. The Coast Guard has federalized the response. This is a notification only - no products are requested at this time.