Incident News

On August 14, 2022, USCG Sector LA/LB contacted their NOAA SSC regarding a grounded/sunken pleasure craft (CF-3129KD) off Whites Landing, north of Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, CA. The vessel had been taking on water on 13-AUG-2022 and was being towed when she grounded. She was reportedly carrying 30 gallons of gasoline at the time, though the max potential was 100 gallons. USCG requested oil fate information.

On August 13, 2022, an estimated 1000 gallons of soybean oil was discharged from a Painesville, OH facility into the Grand River. The USCG MSU Cleveland contacted the NOAA SSC to confirm any possible impacts and/or hazards. The NOAA SSC shared information with USCG on natural oil (non-petroleum) spills and contacted a NOAA chemist to verify further and support the proposed action. No other requests have been made at this time.

On August 13, 2022, the USCG contacted the Office of Response and Restoration Emergency Response Division to report that an estimated 1000 gallons of oil were released from the 530-foot container vessel, the S A Sabrina, at the Port of Miami. Reports of bathers on Miami Beach getting oil on them were received on 13 August. Additionally, tarballs were reported on the beach about 5 miles north of Government Cut. USCG plans to survey the beach for additional tarballs and their extent. NOAA has indicated that shoreline oiling could also exist near the release location due to the time of release during high tide.

On 13-AUG-2022 at 1525L, the USCG Sector Puget Sound contacted the NOAA SSC about the F/V Aleutian Isle that sank 300 yards off San Juan Island, WA. The vessel has approx. 2,500 gallons diesel on board, there is no report of release or sheen. The vessel has fishing gear that is in the water. The CG requested a Resources at Risk.

On 05-AUG-2022, a lightning strike ignited a fire at a crude oil storage facility in Matanzas, Cuba (60 miles East of Havana). Over the next few days, three above-ground storage tanks caught fire, 17 firefighters were reported missing and more than 100 people were injured (including first responders). This Hotline is being opened in case of a technical assistance request for NOAA support.

On August 8, 2022, pilings on Hilcorp Energy platform #2 in Terrebonne Bay gave way causing part of the platform to collapse. Two oil storage tanks are compromised. The USCG requested trajectory and Resources at Risk.

On 5-Aug-2022, the USCG Sector Anchorage reported that the MV Maunalei, a 600' container ship was traveling north to Anchorage while leaking lubricating oil at an estimated rate of 6 gallons per hour. The USCG requested information on the fate and effects of the oil in the marine environment.

On 2-Aug-2022, at 1600, the FV Hotspur sank off the southern point of Prince of Wales Island. The 58' fishing vessel had an estimated 1100 gallons of diesel on board with a max potential of 8000 gallons. The USCG MSD Ketchikan is requesting fates and trajectory analysis for a potential release of fuels.

On 29-JUL-2022, USCG Sector Puget Sound contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a diesel spill at a Navy pier at Base Kitsap-Bangor. An estimated 150 gallons were reported spilled, but an unknown volume went into the water. USCG requested fate & transport info.

On July 28, 2022, the tanker HAFNIA RHINE discharged an estimated 10-20 barrels of bunker oil into the Lower Mississippi River at mile marker 115 near Almedia, LA (approximately 15 miles upriver from New Orleans). The USCG requested a trajectory and on-site support.

On July 28, 2022, the USCG Sector Columbia River contacted the NOAA SSC regarding the partially sunk and sheening, wood-hulled M/V TOURIST No. 2. A 300'x400' sheen is observed around the vessel located among pilings offshore of 6th Street. It was reportedly fueled recently with 500-600 gallons of diesel. USCG response staff on-scene inquired if local businesses with water intakes might be at risk.

NOAA Scientific Support was requested on 27 July 2022 for a declared emergency on the USVI island of St Croix due to high concentrations of sargassum affecting the island's desalination plant and primary source of water. The SSC is coordinating with NOAA's AOML in Miami, FL to work with their sargassum distribution and inundation products to develop more focused and specific trajectory products to support this response and also better longer-term forecast and threat analyses for the future. NOAA is also coordinating with DOI and USFWS to assess risks to protected species (primarily sea turtles and manatee).

On July 19, 2022, the USCG Sector Virginia notified the NOAA SSC that an above-ground storage tank released approximately 6,000k of used cooking oil onto the ground via a crack at the bottom of the tank. An estimated 5 gallons made its way into the Elizabeth River via a storm drain. An estimated 560k gallons remain in the tank. Sector Virginia stated that the secondary containment failed.

On July 10, 202, the USCG Sector Boston notified the NOAA SSC that a 67-foot fishing vessel, the GRACE MARIE had sunk in 600 ft of water approximately 90 nm east of Gloucester, MA late on July 8. The USCG was seeking information on the fate of the leaking diesel fuel.

On July 9, 2022, the USCG Sector Mobile contacted the NOAA SSC regarding an incident involving a sinking 50-foot fishing vessel "SLOW MOTION" with approximately 750 gallons of diesel aboard. The vessel is located about 2 miles south of Fort Pickens, FL. The USCG requested a trajectory and fate of a worst-case discharge of 750 gallons of diesel. USCG News Release: The Coast Guard rescued nine boaters from the water after their vessel became submerged approximately two miles south of Pensacola Pass, Florida, Saturday. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a mayday call at 10:47 a.m. from the 50-foot Sport Fisher Slow Motion. The recreational vessel reportedly ran aground, with all nine boaters aboard abandoning the vessel. Watchstanders diverted a 45-foot Response Boat — Medium boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Pensacola that was already patrolling the area. The Pensacola boatcrew arrived on scene at 10:56 a.m., recovered all nine people out of the water and transported them back to Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola. All nine boaters were reported with no medical concerns. For more information follow us on Facebook and Twitter. -USCG-

On 8-Jul-2022, The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) notified the NOAA SSC that the 739-foot freighter Darya Shanti had lost propulsion in Canadian waters approximately 50 miles off Dixon Entrance and was drifting towards Dall Island, Alaska. The vessel is fully laden with 76,900 metric tons of Petroleum Coke. No products are requested. Notification only at this time.

The USCG Sector Puget Sound notified the NOAA NW SSC on 05-JUL-2022 that the 50’ F/V Valorous sank at the pier in Neah Bay, WA. There is a maximum potential for approx. 500 gallons of red-dye diesel that is discharging from the vessel, sorbents have been deployed to recover the product. The USCG requested a Resources at Risk and assistance in notifying the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.

On 1-Jul-2022, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) notified the NOAA SSC that the 50-foot yacht CATS N DAWGS sank in Glacier Bay with 1800 gals (potential max 2000 gals) on board. The vessel is in 84'-180' of water depth. There was a sheen observed on the water. USCG via ADEC is requesting a trajectory and fates analysis.

On 1 JULY 2022, the NOAA SSC was contacted by USCG Sector New Orleans regarding an oil spill as a result of a break in a transmission line. The release occurred at 2346 on 30 JUNE 2022. Worst case discharge is 593 barrels. The release has been secured. USCG requested trajectory and RAR.

On June 30, 2022, Sector Corpus Christi requested NOAA SSC support in reviewing a request to discharge ballast water from a deep-sea semi-submersible rig that has been grounded at Kiewit Offshore Services in Ingleside, Texas.