Incident News

On May 22, 2026, the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) was notified by California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) that a crude oil pipeline was ruptured during construction activities. An unknown quantity of oil has reached the Los Angeles River. U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach is monitoring the situation, but for now, the discharge remains outside of USCG jurisdiction. The NOAA SSC remains in contact with USCG. No immediate assistance from NOAA has been requested.

On May 19, 2026 the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received notification of a crude oil spill from an out-of-service tank at the TPIC Main Pass 69 Central facility. An estimated 50 barrels of oil spilled into adjacent marsh, shell beach, and water. TPIC is investigating the exact source location. An oil spill removal organization (OSRO) is onsite, conducting the cleanup. The NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) is responding on-site.

On May 19, 2026, the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) for Oceania was notified of a diesel discharge in Ala Wai Harbor in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii. Suspected cause was due to an improper fuel transfer. The U.S. Coast Guard requested assistance with resources at risk (RAR) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation.

On May 16, 2026, Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Texas City notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) of a beached fishing (shrimping) vessel at Crystal Beach, Texas. The vessel has 1,000 gallons of diesel and is not currently discharging. Requested a trajectory and weather outlook for the week for preparedness.

On May 14, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received notification from the National Response Center regarding a reported 15-barrel release of crude oil from a TPIC pipeline in Main Pass 69. The crude oil impacted rip rap and water. An overflight on the same day reported an offshore slick of dark oil and sheen. USCG requested assistance from NOAA in determining a potential relationship between the slick and the TPIC spill.

On May 11, 2026, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) that a fire has broken out on the oil platform Habitat in the Santa Barbara Channel. Initial reports are that it is a natural gas fire and all persons on board have been evacuated. Additional information to follow.

On May 8, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received a report of a 30-mile rainbow mystery sheen in Green Canyon 241, approximately 90 miles south of Louisiana. USCG requested a spill trajectory.

U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Savannah contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) on May 8, 2026 to request any imagery that could help resolve an oil release from a vessel in transit from Norfolk, Virginia to Savannah, Georgia between April 23 and April 25, 2026. The M/V ZIM ATLANTIC arrived in Savannah on April 25, 2026 with a crack on the port side leading into one of its fuel tanks. The crack was discovered in port when a minimal sheen was observed. The case has concluded and the vessel has departed Savannah, but the Coast Guard was attempting to pinpoint exactly when the structural damage occurred. OR&R sought input from NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS).

On April 29, 2026, staff from Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) regarding a potential spill in the Kennebec River near Skowhegan, Maine. The exact time and discharge amount is unknown. Maine DEP was on-scene investigating the incident with divers who were examining a discharge pipe in approximately 30-foot of water. DEP conferred with NOAA regarding the feasibility of using side scan sonar to investigate the oil. DEP also requested a trajectory from NOAA, to assist the response effort.

On April 27, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received a report of crude oil spilled into Florence Canal from a sight glass on a free water knockout at a Texas Petroleum Investment Company (TPIC) facility. A USCG site visit on April 28 confirmed that 35 barrels of oil had spilled. The waterway, adjacent vegetation, and the clay banks of the waterway are impacted. The field is shut-in and the release secured. An oil spill response organization contracted by TPIC is on-site conducting skimming operations. TPIC OSRO on-site conducting skimming operations.

On April 22, 2026, NOAA OR&R received a report from NOAA NESDIS (National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service) that potential oil was observed in satellite imagery analysis near Texas Petroleum Investment Company (TPIC) Main Pass 65. NESDIS subsequently reported a second potential sheen in this location on April 24, 2026. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the State of Louisiana confirmed oil on the water in this location. The spill is continuous from a point source under the surface of the water resulting in a light sheen. No shoreline impacts are reported at this time. USCG and the State are investigating the source of the spill. No facilities are in the immediate area of the source.

On April 23, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Pacific Strike Team contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) regarding response support after Typhoon Sinkalu impacted the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. The USCG sought input on how to properly identify and respond to possible pollution targets. No products were requested from NOAA at this time.

On April 22, 2026, NESDIS (NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service) identified potential oil observed through satellite imagery analysis. NESDIS previously reported a potential sheen in this location on April 24, 2026. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the State of Louisiana confirmed oil on the water in this location. The spill is continuous from a point source under the surface of the water, resulting in a light sheen. No shoreline impacts have been reported at this time. USCG and the State are investigating the source of the spill. No facilities are in the immediate area of the source.

On April 21, 1016, the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) reported potential oil east of the Louisiana delta. NESDIS submitted reports in the same area on April 22, 23, and 24. After investigation of these reports, USCG identified a leaking gas lift line at a TPIC facility in Main Pass 33. The source of the spill has been secured. No reports of shoreline impact at this time.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) of a sunken 40-foot sailboat in the Montego Village Marina in San Diego Bay. The vessel contains a reported 40 gallons of diesel. Minimal sheening has been observed. USCG has assumed jurisdiction over the response and will raise the vessel and remove any fuel on board. At the request of USCG, the NOAA SSC has informed Endangered Species Act (ESA) trustee agencies.

On April 16, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) that they are investigating a mystery sheen reported at the Port of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska. The source is suspected to be from a jet fuel discharge (<200 gallons) that occurred on December 25, 2025. The sheen is coming from ice on piers at the fuel dock at the port. Sheen and a fuel odor has been reported up to one mile away, particularly during falling tides. Cook Inlet Beluga whales (listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act) and migratory birds have been observed in the vicinity of the sheen occurrence area.

On April 8, 2026, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Maryland contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) to request a trajectory analysis for the partially sunken tugboat Gale in Curtis Bay, Baltimore Harbor, Maryland. The tug struck a submerged object at approximately 6 am, April 8. Not known yet is the damage to the hull or the screw that led to the flooding. The vessel is boomed off and currently reporting no sheen or discharge. They report between 6,000 to 9,000 gallons of diesel fuel remaining between four fuel tanks, and that they have a total fuel capacity of 12,800 gallons. Follow-up investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland determined that the partial sinking of the tugboat Gale was due to the barge striking a previously unknown sunken barge.

On April 3, 2026, the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) for California was contacted by U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach regarding a compromised container of sodium hydroxide. The Los Angeles Fire Department deployed on scene and established a 1000-foot safety zone around the container. Hazardous materials handlers were dispatched to assist in opening the container, assessing additional risks or hazards, and beginning off-loading the container. The container doors were opened without incident. The Incident Command demobilized April 3 and the remainder of the cleanup was managed by the facility.

On March 27, 2026, the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) for Oceania was notified by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in Honolulu of a sheen observed via satellite. No products were requested from NOAA; this was for notification only. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) was also notified of the satellite observation and investigated using aircraft. The sheening was determined to be caused by a dead, decaying whale off the coast, which the USCG was able to visually verify.

On March 27, 2026, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco called the 24/7 NOAA spill emergency line to report that a small motor boat had washed ashore near the mouth of the Salinas River on March 26 after a Search & Rescue effort. Today the vessel was submerged by the high tide. California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) reported little to no remaining fuel on board. No support needed from NOAA; notification only.