Incident News

On the evening of 27 MAR 2020 a marina fire broke out under the West Seattle Bridge where 8 boats were impacted. An unknown amount of oil was released into the water that has since been contained. Later on a small sheen was reported near Harbor Island thought to have come from the marina fire. The USCG has requested a resources at risk (RAR) at this time.

The Southeast Alaska Power Agency (SEAPA) seeks to replace an electrical submarine power cable in the Stikine crossing between the islands of Woronkofski and Vank to maintain reliable power for the Petersburg Borough. Cable replacement will require removal of the existing oil‐filled cable and installation of a new cable. Worst case discharge would be the entire length of the cable; 18000 feet with an amount of approximately 212 gallons of dielectric fluid. USCG Sector Juneau requested the NOAA SSC provide input on ESA listed species in the vicinity of the project.

On the evening of March 19, 2020, M/V ALGOMA CONVEYER ran aground approximately 5 NM North of Fox River in Green Bay and partially blocked the channel near the Green Bay Harbor Entrance Channel Light 14. The vessel experienced a loss of propulsion prompting it to let go of its starboard anchor and then run aground. Approximately 600' of the vessel is aground. No injuries were reported and no reports of pollution. The vessel is carrying rock salt and 15,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil and diesel. USCG Sector Lake Michigan is requesting a trajectory and resources at risk.

On the morning of March 15, 2020, the M/V HON JAMES L OBERSTAR, spilled during fueling in Howards Bay (Fraser Shipyard), Superior, WI. The vessel was reported to have discharged 100-200 gallons of diesel fuel into the water. The cause was found to be a hydraulic quick closing valve that was not secured properly. The source of the discharge has been secured. OSRO was deployed and recovery operations have been completed. Notification only.

On the evening of 13-Mar-2020, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted NOAA’s Emergency Response Division about the grounded F/V SCOMAS. The vessel went aground at Black Sands Beach (west of Point Diablo near the SF Bay entrance) the previous day. USCG is concerned that the vessel will break up in upcoming wind/wave conditions and is requesting a trajectory for a potential release of 600 gallons of diesel.

On the afternoon of 10-MAR-2020, USCG Sector LA/Long Beach contacted their NOAA SSC about an un-manned pleasure craft WILD WAVE that was dragging anchor outside of Catalina Harbor on Santa Catalina Island, CA. It is a 65' wooden vessel (former trawler) with a potential of 400-800 gallons diesel on-board and is reportedly 30 yards offshore. Sector LA/LB requests a hypothetical "what if" trajectory in the event it hits the rocks and discharges in the next two hours.

On 9 March 2020, USCG Sector Ohio Valley contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a sunken towing vessel in the vicinity of MM 922 on the Ohio River near Paducah, KY. Vessel sank yesterday with aprox 9,000 gal of diesel on board. Only sheen discharge has been reported. Response options are limited due to high velocity of current (4-6 MPH). The NOAA SSC provided RAR utilizing ERMA.

On the evening of February 26, 2020 there was a report of an oil discharge from F/V KATHY on Lake Superior on the Keweenaw Peninsula. The suspected vessel was reported to have discharged approximately 3 cups of dark oil onto the ice while moored at the South Entry Bay Boat Launch. Upon investigation, it was determined the vessel was taking on water and the owner was pumping an unknown amount of water from the bilge every few days to keep it from sinking. Notification only.

On February 27, 2020, the USCG Sector New Orleans received a report of a discharge of crude oil from a flow line at the Whitney Garden Island Bay Field; Tank Battery 160 Facility, located near Loomis Pass, in the Pass A Loutre State Wildlife Management. Discharge is secure. Initial estimates are between 5 and 30bbl. USCG requested fate/trajectory and resources at risk.

On February 27, 2020, SSC received notification about a partially submerged white 34' recreational vessel at the Huron Harbor North Marina in Huron, Ohio. There is a light rainbow sheen around the vessel which has been contained with boom placed by the marina. No products requested.

On 24-FEB-2020, NMFS Stranding Coordinator in CA contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a 15’ gray whale carcass at Port Hueneme, CA. No field necropsy is anticipated, so the carcass may be towed offshore late in the day. NMFS requested a carcass drift estimate to aid in determining how far offshore to tow the carcass so it does not re-beach in the upcoming days.

On February 20, 2020, the SEA WOLF, a 44 foot recreational vessel sank while moored at the Skyline Marina (2400 Skyline Way, Anacortes, WA 98221). Potential of up to 300 gallons of diesel aboard.

On the morning of 16 FEB 2020 along the Santiam River, a single vehicle crash involving an overturned double fuel tanker occurred releasing approximately 10,000 gallons of gasoline and diesel onto the bank of the Santiam River near mile marker 63. By the end of the day fuel was seen in the river. The EPA FOSC has requested an ESA emergency consultation. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has been contacted. Consultation is ongoing.

On February 11, 2020, the USCG was notified of a red dyed diesel mystery spill at the Venice Marina, Venice LA. An area of water less than 50x50ft between boat slips contains red dyed diesel and white foam. Quantity unknown. USCG is onsite collecting information and attempting to identify the responsible party. Three dead pelicans found on-site. NOAA SSC providing phone support. On-scene support is possible.

On February 07, 2020 - Washington State Department of Ecology, USCG Sector Puget Sound, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the City of Port Orchard are on-scene investigating the source of a diesel spill in Yachtfish Marina, Sinclair Inlet, Port Orchard. No impacts to fish or wildlife have been reported and NOAA support is not requested at this time. This is a notification only.

On February 7, 2020, the NOAA SSC was notified of a lost 2000’ length x 36” diameter floating rubber hose that is used to attach to a dredge and pump sand through. The hose came unattached from the towing vessel M/V TRIDENT sometime on the morning of February 6, 2020, roughly 28 miles NNE of Daytona Beach, FL. ERD was requested to run a drift study on the estimated position and direction of drift of the rubber hose

At 0900 on 7 February, 2020, USCG Sector North Carolina notified the NOAA SSC that a commercial fishing vessel went aground on Shackleford Banks, North Carolina. Vessel has 7,000-10,000 gallons of diesel onboard. No pollution reported at this time. USCG requested trajectory.

On February 6, 2020, a broken valve at a fueling facility located along the Houma ICW at mm52 resulted in the discharge of several hundred gallons of red dye diesel into the ICW. Local winds pushed the diesel against the bank and into a boat slip. Boom applied and cleanup in progress.

On February 6, 2020, a small plane crashed into Arcata Bay near Eureka, CA. The pilot was rescued with no injuries. 195 gallons of aviation fuel were reported to be on board, but no release was observed until later that afternoon. Containment boom has been deployed, but wing tanks are difficult to access for pollutant removal. USCG MSD Humboldt Bay contacted their NOAA SSC with an initial report and to request information regarding potential fuel exposure to nearby shellfish aquaculture site, roughly 0.5 NM away. Subsequently, ERD has been providing oil fate/transport/mixing information to the state authorities responsible for fishery closures during oil spills.

03 Feb 2020 USCG Sec NOLA requested assistance from NOAA NESDIS regarding an offshore mystery oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico Viosca Knoll Block 989 (NRC 1270287). 04 Feb 2020 two additional mystery oil slicks were reported in the vicinity (NRC 1270338 & 1270346). USCG requested a trajectory to determine potential shoreline impact and an assessment of the potential relationship between the three slicks.