Incident News
Vessel Fire, Mystic, CT, 3 Williams Ave, Mystic, CT 06355, USA
On November, 2020, USCG Sector Long Island Sound notified the NOAA SSC about a 30 foot long vessel that caught fire and sank at the municipal dock in Mystic, CT. There is an active discharge of diesel fuel. USCG requested information on potential resources at risk.
Sunken Vessel City Island Marina, Bronx, New York, 703 Minnieford Ave, The Bronx, NY 10464, USA
On November 16, 2020, the USCG Sector New York notified the NOAA SSC about a 30' pleasure craft that sank at the dock this morning. USCG reports that a noticeable sheen is coming from the vessel. NPFC opened to begin clean-up. An unknown amount of fuel is onboard. The cause is being investigated.
F/V Jimmy and Charlie Jr., McIntosh County, GA, USA
On November 10, 2020, the USCG notified the NOAA SSC that an 88-foot steel hull fishing vessel is grounded near the entrance to the Altamaha River on a sand bar. The vessel has a capacity of 33000 gallons and is thought to have 15000 gallons of diesel fuel onboard. No pollution reported at this time. Salvage plans are being developed and anticipated to begin tomorrow morning.
F/V Three Pigeons, Grand Isle State Park
On November 10, 2020, the NOAA RRO was contacted by USCG Sector New Orleans requesting fate and trajectory for a potential release from a beached 70ft shrimping vessel F/V Three Pigeons. The USCG reported that the vessel was on fire and was purposefully beached at Grand Isle State Park with 3000 gallons fuel diesel fuel onboard.
FV LOBSTER MANIA, jonesport, maine
At 11:30am on 7 November 2020, USCG Sector Northern New England notified the NOAA SSC that the FV LOBSTER MANIA, which was involved in a SAR case, is partially submerged and leaking diesel fuel, 17 nmi due east of Jonesport, Maine. Vessel has an estimated 500 gallons of fuel on board. USCG requested a trajectory.
Grand Bay Spill, Venice, LA, USA
On November 1, 2020, the USCG Sector New Orleans received a report of oiled shoreline and a 1mile x 60ft light sheen in Grand Bay. Lobo Operating is conducting an investigation. NOAA determined this event is not likely related to the Saratoga Lobo Black Bay Spill (previous RL report).
Cox Operating S2 Energy East Timbalier Island Pipeline Spill, LA USA
On November 1, 2020, the USCG notified the NOAA SSC that S2 Energy had identified a service riser slowly discharging oil south west of East Timbalier Island. A 4-mile sheen with a dark product extended to the southeast. No shoreline impacts observed. Source secure. NOAA provided trajectory.
Derelict Vessel Removal, Harsens Island, MI
On November 1, 2020, the USCG Sector Detroit requested a Resources at Risk and Best Management Practices for removing an abandoned vessel in the marshy area of St. Clair Flats. The vessel was a SAR case about 1.5months ago (date is an estimate) and the owner is not taking action. An estimated 100gals of gasoline is onboard, the vessel is a 30' Sea Ray.
Saratoga Lobo Black Bay Spill, LA, USA
Hurricane Zeta (28 OCT 20) impacted Saratoga Resources Test Facility (NWF561) operated by Lobo Operating (NRC Report # 1291052). An estimated 500bbl crude oil was lost from one of three tanks on the platform. The remaining two tanks are damaged but only one tank continues to discharge. The leaking tank contains approximately 57bbl crude oil and 557bbl produced water. The tank is discharging onto the platform and into the water. Sheen is minimal. USCG has not identified any areas of shoreline impact. NOAA providing fate/trajectory and resources at risk.
Hurricane Zeta, Gulf of Mexico
On October 28, 2020, NOAA's Emergency Response Division opened this hotline to capture information on Hurricane Zeta. The current forecast calls for Zeta to make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane in Southeast Louisiana by late this afternoon. This system will bring a multi-hazard threat to the area and significant impacts are expected across portions of SE LA and S MS. The SSC has made arrangements with RPI and Spatial Data Branch to ensure Arc Collector is available for USCG use post-landfall.
M/V WILD WAVE aground, Avalon, CA
On October 26, 2020, the USCG Sector LA/LB contacted their NOAA SSC about the pleasure craft M/V WILD WAVE that was aground on Descanso Beach, in Avalon, CA (Santa Catalina Island). USCG reports that the vessel has a potential of 200 gallons of diesel on board. It is likely to break up before the vessel can be recovered. Sector LA/LB requested a hypothetical "what if" trajectory in the event a spill occurs.
Liberty Ship Thomas Heyward, Gulf of Mexico
On October 21, 2020, NOAA was notified of a spill from the SS Thomas Heyward Liberty Ship, now an artificial reef located southwest of Destin East Pass, FL. In September, sport divers reported oil sheen on the water surface and black "oil - like" substance flowing from the deck of the ship and the Okaloosa county diver conducted an inspection of the artificial reef and collected samples. Now, USCG requested NOAA assistance in identifying whether the ship is related to the Johnson Beach spill, reported after Hurricane Sally made landfall.
Broadkill Beach Oil Spill, Delaware, Broadkill Beach, DE 19958, USA
On October 19, 2020, the USCG notified the NOAA SSC that an unknown volume of oil from an unknown source had come ashore at Lewes State Park, Delaware. At least one mile of shoreline has been impacted with tar balls and tar patties. Sector Delaware Bay intends to conduct a more formal shoreline assessment.
Sunken Tug- Off Duluth Wisconsin, Bayfield County, WI, USA
On October 18, 2020, the NOAA SCC was notified of an incident in western Lake Superior, where a tug vessel was towing a smaller tug vessel that broke free and sank at 0100 on 18OCT2020. The sunken tug is 45ft long, max potential pollution on board is 400 gallons of diesel and 10 gallons of lube oil.
Wooden Vessel Sinking La Conner Marina, WA, La Conner Marina, WA, USA
On the morning of Friday 16 OCT 2020, a 32 foot wooden vessel sank along a pier in La Conner Marina. A residual sheen was seen around the vessel, boom and pads were deployed. There is a potential for a small diesel spill from storage aboard the vessel. The vessel is scheduled to be raised around 1600. Resources at risk were requested.
TS Nabarima-Off Venezuela, Venezuela
On 16 Oct 2020, NOAA was asked by the US National Response Team to provide trajectory, resources at risk, and fate information in the event of a spill from the tanker Nabarima, a floating storage and offloading unit (FSO), moored in the Gulf of Paria between Venezuela and Trinidad. At this point, a release has not occurred (to our knowledge). The vessel has an estimated 1.1 million barrels of light crude oil aboard.
Salmon Bay Spill, Ballard Locks, Seattle, WA
On the morning of 14 OCT 2020, SSC was notified of black waste oil discharging from F/V ALASKA CHIEFTAN. Located on the freshwater side of the Ballard Locks in Salmon Bay, USCG is on scene and says the spill is mostly contained. Request for a resources at risk.
Trinity Bay Anomalies (MPSR), Chambers County, TX, USA
On October 13, 2020, NESDIS issued two Marine Pollution Surveillance Reports noting anomalies (potential oil) at facilities in Trinity Bay, Texas. NOAA SSC forwarded MPSRs to Sector Houston-Galveston. Duty teams will follow up
High Island 330 Sheen, Offshore Texas
On October 13, 2020 a light sheen was noted near the Genesis Energy G03302 unmanned platform located in High Island Block 330. The platform produces natural gas, and the sheen is believed to be due to a 2,000 gallon diesel tank on the platform deck. Platform is located approximately 112 nm offshore and remains shut in following Hurricane Delta. MSU Texas City requested evaluation of potential shoreline impact. Small diesel fact sheet provided.
Hurricane Delta, Gulf of Mexico
On October 6, 2020, Hurricane Delta was heading towards southeastern Louisiana and expected to make landfall as a category 2 hurricane. NOAA ERD opened this Hotline to capture coordination efforts with USCG D8 and Sectors New Orleans and Mobile as well as States and EPA.