Incident News
Oil Discharge at Calcasieu Point Landing, Lake Charles, LA
On November 28, 2022, oil was reported on the boat ramp at Calcasieu Point Landing, Louisiana (NRC#1352522). Source has been identified as the tanks at Martin Energy Services, just upstream. A tank discharged used lube oil into the secondary containment area, which then discharged into the water. An OSRO is on-site, placing boom. The exact volume discharged is unknown at this time. Oiled pelicans have been reported. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is engaged. Trajectory requested.
Whitney Oil & Gas Well 259 Garden Island Bay Leak; Port Eads, LA, USA
On November 27, 2022, a small amount of crude oil was discharged from Whitney Oil & Gas Well #259 into Garden Island Bay, a part of the Pass A Loutre WMA in Plaquemines Parrish, LA. Whitney responded to the incident with the insertion of a cofferdam around the well to remove the water and find the path of discharge. Whitney reported a 5x1 yd rainbow sheen with patches of dark oil and Brown Pelicans within the area of the well. USCG requested that NOAA provide a Resources at Risk.
SEACOR MARINE LB ROBERT potential spill; Gulf of Mexico
On November 21, 2022, the USCG Marine Safety Unit (MSU) in Houma, LA, was notified that the liftboat LB ROBERT, owned by SEACOR MARINE and located approximately 73 nautical miles south of Vermillion Bay, was listing to one side. All personnel had been previously evacuated due to inclement weather. No spill has been reported. The liftboat has 31,000 gallons of diesel onboard. USCG notified NOAA SSC of the potential threat and requested preparedness for fate/trajectory request.
Fishing Vessel Sinks in Pamlico Sound, White Plains, NC
On 17 November 2022, USCG Sector North Carolina notified the NOAA SSC that the 35 ft long FV HEATHER BREEZE sank at 0200 approximately five miles from Engelhard, NC., in the Pamlico Sound. At the time, Sector North Carolina did not request any NOAA support. On 23 November, USCG Sector North Carolina notified the NOAA SSC that the vessel was observed capsized and awash in Pamlico Sound. The maximum amount of diesel fuel onboard is 180 gallons. Sector North Carolina requested an oil spill trajectory because of the vessel's close proximity to numerous aquaculture and natural shellfish beds and sensitive shorelines.
Well Discharge into Marsh Near Creole, LA
On November 15, 2022, a well owned by OLI PDP #II, LLC discharged approximately 15 barrels of crude oil and saltwater into the marsh near Creole, Louisiana (LSP#22-06693). Discharge was due to a failure in the line. Source is secure, OSROs are on site and responding. LOSCO and LDWF plan a site visit today, to fly a UAS survey, and evaluate wildlife impacts.
Oil on Beach at Canaveral Space Force Station, Port Canaveral, FL
On November 14, 2022, the USCG notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator that a stretch of beach at the Canaveral Space Force Station Beach had received some oiling post-hurricane Nicole. The oil was along 1.2 miles of beach and was found sporadically among Sargassum on the sand beach surface. The source has not been identified but could potentially be from a historic shipwreck. The SSC provided a resources-at-risk assessment to ensure that any potential concerns for species or habitat along the impact area are considered during cleanup operations.
Sinking of Work Barge, Bon Secour Bay, South End of Mobile Bay, AL
On November 13, 2022, the USCG Sector Mobile contacted the NOAA SSC regarding the sinking of a work barge containing 500 gallons of diesel and misc. petroleum products in Bon Secour Bay (just north of Ft Morgan, south end of Mobile Bay). The USCG requested fate and transport assessment and resources at risk analysis.
Allision between Tug Boat and out-of-service Flowline, South Pass 24, Pilottown, LA
On November 7, 2022, the USCG received notification of an allision between a tug boat and an out-of-service Hilcorp flowline in South Pass 24. The pipeline discharged approximately 2bbl of crude oil. The pipeline may contain an additional max of 4bbl. A slick and sheen were present on the waterway. Impact on the shoreline is anticipated. The USCG requested fate, trajectory, and resources at risk.
Recreational Vessel Sunk, Port Hadlock, WA
On 5 Nov 2022, the USCG notified NOAA about a sunken vessel outside of the Port Hadlock Marina, WA. There were 2 POBs, who abandoned ship and are currently being treated at a hospital for hypothermia. USCG requested a brief weather forecast for Port Hadlock for decision-making purposes
Spill of a Mixture Containing Oil and Polymer Products into Drainage Ditch Leading to Patrick Bayou, Deer Park, TX
Situation: On October 31, 2022, the Lubrizol facility in Deer Park, TX, released an unknown amount of a mixture containing oil and polymer products into a drainage ditch leading to Patrick Bayou (NRC# 1351346). A response contractor was hired, and boom was placed, and cleanup operations began. On November 4, Sector Houston-Galveston contacted NOAA SSC and requested cleanup recommendations for Patrick Bayou, and insight into potential toxicity and analytical methods for the polymer, polyisobutylene.
Shrimping Vessel Capsize, Main Pass, LA
04 Nov 2022 a shrimping vessel net became ensnared on an adjacent wellhead. The shrimping vessel capsized with approximately 100 gals of diesel onboard, creating a sheen. The USCG consulted NOAA regarding response methods, fate, and trajectory and NOAA consulted local USFW regarding nearby habitat.
F/V Irene Alton Sinking; Saint George, ME, USA
On 2 Nov, 2022, the USCG Sector Northern New England contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a trajectory and fate analysis for a potential diesel spill from a sunken fishing vessel south of Tenants Harbor ME. Some sheen and smell was initially reported but follow-up visits have not resulted in any observable pollution.
Fishing Vessel sunk SE of Assateague Island, Virginia
On October 28, 2022, USCG Sector VA notified the NOAA SSC that the F/V TREMONT, a 114.5 foot, 399 GT vessel sank at 0400 approx. 55 NM SE of Assateague Island,, Virginia. The vessel has a total diesel fuel capacity of approx. 31,000 gallons as well as machinery lube oil onboard. The cause of the casualty is under investigation. The Sector VA FOSCR requested a worst-case discharge trajectory for possible shoreline impact and resources at risk be conducted for the formulation of their response strategy.
Towing Vessel "Sandstone" Sunk at its Moorings, Pine Bluff, AR
On October 24, 2022, The towing vessel SANDSTONE (25’3” in length) sank at its moorings on the Arkansas River mile marker 218. The vessel is completely submerged. The total estimated capacity of oil onboard is 1,230 gallons and the responsible party is estimating that 500 gallons of diesel and 30 gallons of various lube oils were onboard prior to the sinking. The NOAA SSC was requested to provide remote support for resources at risk and consultation with USFWS/DOI.
Unexploded Ordnance, Block Island Sound, Narragansett, RI
On October 25, 2022, the duty officer from USCG Sector SE New England contacted the NOAA SSC to report that a fishing vessel had hauled ordnance on board in its trawl gear. The USCG and Navy were contacted and the Navy determined the ordnance to be unexploded (live). The USCG was asking for assistance contacting NMFS regarding potential Section 7 ESA in the area where a detonation is scheduled to occur on the morning of 26 OCT.
Mystery Sheen, Bridgeport, CT
On October 25, 2022, the USCG Sector Long Island Sound contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a mystery sheen reported in Bridgeport, CT. The images appear to be some type of organic/biotic sheen, but the Sector intends to follow up and sample if possible soon.
70’ Fishing Vessel Sunk, Fish Harbor, San Pedro, CA
During the evening of 24-OCT-2022, USCG Sector LA/Long Beach contacted their NOAA SSC to request trajectory support for a 70’ wood fishing vessel that sank within the Port of Los Angeles. The vessel has been actively sheening since at least 1600 hrs, reportedly has an 830 gallon max potential of diesel on board. As the USCG attempts to boom the area around the vessel, they requested a trajectory estimate through sunrise tomorrow to help plan out a first light assessment of the area.
Mystery Slick off Charleston SC
On October 11, 2022, the USCG Sector Charleston reported that a pilot reported an observed slick that appeared to be black oil 2 miles off Charleston at position 32-45-23.2N and 079-45-49.2 W. The NOAA SSC was asked to provide a trajectory summary and evaluation of the shoreline threat.
Fire at Paper Mill Warehouse, Menominee, WI
On 8 October 2022, the NOAA SSC received a notification from U.S.EPA about a fire at the Resolute Forest Products Paper Mill warehouse located in Menominee, Wisconsin. The fire began on 6 October due to unknown causes. At the time, no products were requeted. On 10 October 2022, U.S. EPA again contacted the NOAA SSC and requested a trajectory to assist with water quality monitoring of surface waters in the Menominee River for PFAS firefighting foam.
Hurricane Ian
On September 23, 2022, the NOAA SSC for USCG District 7 in Miami, FL began monitoring Depression #9 (Now Hurricane Ian) and coordinating with the USCG, National Marine Sanctuaries, and State of Florida to ensure that response plans and coordination were in place prior to expected storm effects to Florida. This hotline was started to capture planning and response information. The SSC is standing by for support either pre storm or post storm as needed.