Incident News

At 0948 EDT on March 16 the NOAA SSC was notified by USCG District 1 that there may be a need to convene RRT1 to consider the use of a surface washing agent on a vessel that had an accidental discharge in international waters. The M/T MARE SICULUM reported to the Canadian Coast Guard they had accidentally discharged approximately 2 barrels of fuel oil from the fuel oil system vent piping while the ship was in a heavy storm (seas were 9 meters) off the coast of Newfoundland. The ship is NOT loaded with cargo, it is in ballast. The fuel was spilled on the ship’s deck and has stained the side of the hull.

On March 16, 2023, the EPA Region 10 contacted the NOAA SSC that a BNSF train derailed near the Swinomish Channel, Anacortes, Washington, There is a potential of approx. 7,000 gallons of diesel. There are other loaded cars still on the tracks.

On March 14, 2023, the vessel F/V Tu-Thao, a 60 ft steel hull shrimping vessel sank approximately a half mile off Bolivar Peninsula in about 16 ft of water. All crew were rescued. Vessel was reported to be carrying 500-600 gallons of diesel fuel. Vessel is not actively sheening. MSU Texas City is working with owner to remove pollution, and requested fate and trajectory.

On March 15, 2023, the USCG notified the NOAA SSC that an all-terrain vehicle, a Sherp ATV, broke down and was abandoned on the ice while conducting a rescue. The USCG Sector Anchorage has requested the NOAA SSC initiate an ESA Emergency Section 7 consultation.

On March 14, 2023, the USCG Sector LA/Long Beach contacted their NOAA SSC about a partially submerged 30-40’ vessel that is currently the subject of a USCG search & rescue operation. The vessel is currently adrift roughly 3.3 NM Southwest of the Angeles Gate entrance to the Port of Los Angeles. A ½ mile sheen has been observed around the vessel, but the vessel name, type, fuel type, and fuel capacity are unknown at this time. USCG requested trajectory support for an estimated maximum potential of 800 gallons of diesel fuel.

On March 13, 2023, an unknown sheen at High Island Beach was reported to the USCG Marine Safety Unit in Port Arthur. The Incident Management Division (IMD) responded and found a leaking pipe was producing the sheen. The discharge appears to be natural gas condensate from an old well that was partially plugged and abandoned. The discharge continues at the estimated rate of 1 gal/hr, and is partially contained within an old coffer dam. The USCG requested a trajectory and Resources at Risk analysis

On March 3, 2023, the USCG notified the NOAA SSC regarding a yellowish substance stranded on Sargent Beach, Texas. Stranding extends for approximately 4 miles of beach, with 4-10% coverage. Responders from the USCG MSU Texas City, and Texas General Lands Office (TGLO) believe the substance may be some kind of paraffin. The material had no detectable odor and was waxy, firm, and non-greasy. Trajectory and information on potential wildlife impacts requested.

On March 10, 2023, the USCG received notification that a 16-inch and 20-mile-long section of the Crescent Mainstream pipeline lost pressure. The line was shut in and an overflight observed a possible 1 mile by 300ft slick in the vicinity of the pipeline. The USCG requested fate and trajectory.

OnMarch 9, 2023, the USCG Sector Columbia River notified the NOAA SSC that an 85’ commercial fishing vessel is on fire at the Westport Marina in Washington with a potential for 7,000 gallons of diesel and additional hydraulic and engine oils on board. The Fire Department is on-scene and the USCG and Marina Manager are in route. It is unknown if there has been a release or sheen.

On February 28, 2023, the M/T PRINCESS EMPRESS sank off Balingawan Point, Naujuan Oriental Mindoro. Cause of the casualty is unclear. The vessel, now completely submerged, was carrying as much as 250,000 gallons of fuel oil. The resulting sheen has reached 75 miles in length and has impacted several shorelines. National Response Team (NRT ) was activated 08 Mar in response to a request for assistance received on 07 Mar 2023 from the Government of the Philippines. Philippine Request includes: 1) Oil spill and incident command team experts. 2) Satellite imagery to inform oil spill monitoring and forecasting NOAA is coordinating with NRT member agencies to assess and potentially fulfill these requests.

On March 3, 2023, the USCG Sector Upper Mississippi River contacted the NOAA SSC regarding an anhydrous ammonia barge that struck the side wall in Lock 25 (MM 241.2) of the MS River. The barge is carrying 2500 tons of anhydrous ammonia. No release has been reported. The SSC provided hazard analysis and initial isolation and protective action distances as well as technical information to assist in monitoring and recovery efforts.

USCG Marine Safety Unit Duluth is responding to a downed single-engine plane in the St. Louis River upriver of Lake Superior. The plane reportedly crashed into the ice at approximately 1730 CST on 24 February 2023, caught fire, then submerged. The fuel and worst-case discharge are unknown at this time but is estimated to be up to 90 gallons of 100 octane aviation gasoline. However, the initial report from the fire response was that most of the plane and its fuel were consumed in the fire. The ice cover is otherwise complete in the river, and the distance to the ice edge is approximately 4 miles downriver in Lake Superior. USCG MSU Duluth is seeking fate and transport information, as well as any relevant public safety recommendations.

On February 22, 2023, the USCG Sector Puget Sound contacted the PNW SSC that the Tug Tulalip is aground near the Lopez Island Ferry Terminal in the San Juan Islands, WA. The tug has the potential for approximately 400 gallons of diesel, no release is reported at this time. The USCG requested a Resources at Risk and a local weather forecast.

USCG Sector Honolulu is working with the Hawaii Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the vessel owner to remove potential pollution from a 94-foot luxury yacht that ran aground in Honolua Bay in Northwest Maui on February 20. The USCG has initiated emergency consultation with NMFS and USFWS for pollution removal activities.

On February 21, 2023, MSU Texas City contacted NOAA SSC regarding the vessel Aliikai, a 32ft recreational fishing vessel which sank with approximately 200 gallons of unleaded gasoline onboard. She is on the bottom in 80 ft of water, approximately 6 miles offshore the mouth of the Brazos River. No discharge has been reported, or sheen observed. All passengers recovered safely. MSU Texas City requested input on fate and effects of potential discharge, likelihood and trajectory of potential vessel drift, and information about resources at risk. Phone support provided.

On February 21, 2023, the USCG Sector New York notified the NOAA SSC about the Panamanian-flagged T/V Valentine, which was loaded with a variety of chemicals. The USCG requested information i.e. reactivity, about the chemicals on board the vessel. The vessel is currently anchored at the Ambrose Anchorage, awaiting further instructions from the USCG. Offloading operations suppose to take place at the IMTT facility, Bayonne, New Jersey.

On February 15, 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard District 14 was notified of 350 gallons of Diesel being spilled in the vicinity of Johnson Atoll around the area of 17 49.7”N, 166 08.9”W, on 09FEB2023. USCG D14 has asked whether NOAA satellites picked up any anomalies in that area between 08FEB2023 – 10FEB2023 Zulu time. The position provided is the leading edge of the oil and the discharge likely occurred somewhere slightly south of Johnson Atoll and the above position.

On February 13, the NOAA Great Lakes SSC received a call from USCG District 9 command center asking for satellite support to assist in identifying the location of an unidentified object that was responded to by the US Military over Lake Huron. The incident area is Lake Huron, extending from Greenbush MI north.

On 12 Feb at 0800L the M/V Amis Miracle began discharging an unknown amount of lube oil into the Columbia River from the Astoria Anchorage site. The leak is due to an equipment malfunction and has not yet been secured. The vessel is slowly discharging lube oil and has a max potential of 500 gallons. There is a slight sheen present and the owner is on-scene working to secure the leak. USCG Columbia River contacted NOAA's NW RRO to notify them of the situation.

On February 10, 2023, a locomotive on a freight train derailed near Toledo, OR. The locomotive's tank was punctured and released an estimated 2,000 gallons of red dye diesel onto the soil and tracks. Since the derailment, the product has drained into a catch basin and a sheen has been reported on the Yaquina River. Oregon DEQ and US FWS are responding on scene.