Incident News

On November 30, 2021, a USCG Sector New Orleans Auxillary overflight discovered a crude oil slick originating from a Southern Louisiana Oil platform in close proximity to North Breton Island. The slick was estimated to be 2nm long and 1/2nm wide. An estimated 50 gallons of oil has been released. USCG requested fate and trajectory.

On November 29, 2021, the USCG Sector Columbia River IMD Astoria requested a trajectory of a partially afloat 50-gallon mystery drum adrift in the Columbia River. There is no visible sheen.

In the early morning of 27 NOV 2021, a spill of approx. 1000 gallons glycerol was released from a damaged container to a drain that goes to the Duwamish Waterway in Seattle, WA. The USCG Sector Puget Sound was notified at approx. 1400. The USCG, WA ECY and NRC are on scene. Phone support was requested to determine if there are any adverse effects of this product.

On November 21, 2021, a possible oil spill was observed in NOAA satellite imagery. This anomaly is unconfirmed as oil. The anomaly was believed to be a possible bilge dump. It was approximately 44.56 NM long and 0.93 NM at its widest. The dark-shaped anomaly exhibited widening with distance which is a characteristic of a bilge dump. It had high contrast against its surrounding environment. USCG Sector Columbia River requested imagery for this anomaly.

On November 19, 2021, USCG Sector Virginia received an emergency call from the Tugboat LYNX that the vessel was taking on water while towing an empty 80-foot long gasoline barge 32 miles east of Chincoteague, VA. The tug boat has 17,300 gallons of diesel on board. The tugboat remains afloat, under its own power, and is currently located 24 NMI northeast of the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.

At 0900 in the morning of 14 NOV 2021 an abandoned 30ft vessel sank alongside a dock in Friday Harbor. An unknown amount of gasoline was on board the vessel and sheening was seen coming from the vessel after it sank. The vessel is planned to be refloated later in the day. Boom was placed around the vessel. USCG requested a trajectory.

On the morning of 13 NOV 2021, between 100-400 gallons of red dye diesel was spilled at the Stinson Marina during a fuel transfer involving the 60ft pleasure craft ZUMA. The spill was secured. ECY and USCG have been on scene and are working to clean up the oil. The sheen had been reported to have spread through the Ballard Locks and seen near Shilshole Bay Marina. USCG has requested a Trajectory and Resources at Risk.

On Nov 5 2021, the vessel SLOMEN CHENIMUS lost 4 drums of lubricating oil into the Mississippi River at mm144.6. At this time, drums are thought to be intact. USCG requested a trajectory to help locate the drums at first light.

On 4-NOV-2021, the NOAA SSC was notified by the USCG MSU Portland that the abandoned and derelict vessel (ADV) Alert sank in the Columbia River near Portland, Oregon. The Tugboat Sakarissa, also an ADV, was moored to the Alert. Previous efforts in 2020 removed hazardous materials from both ships. There is a slight observable sheen in the water from oily residue on the Alert and concern that the Sakarissa will break free and float downriver. The CG has requested phone support, NOAA SSC to assist with consultations and technical assistance as needed.

On 04-NOV-2021 at 2000, the NOAA SSC was notified by the USCG SCR IMD Astoria of a derelict barge leaking oil. There is an estimated maximum potential of 27,000 gallons of an unknown oil product. There is thick oil observed on the vegetation at the high tide waterline. The case has been federalized, the USCG and Clean Harbors will be on scene in the morning.

The USCG Sector SNE contacted the New England SSC at 0823 on 2 Nov requesting trajectory and fate analysis for a potential fishing vessel that caught fire and sank 2 NM east of Block Island, RI.

On 1-Nov-2021, FV Laura, an 84'steel hulled vessel ran aground in Chiniak Bay. There is a potential of 4000 gallons of diesel fuel onboard. It is unknown if there is a release at this time. Four persons were rescued. MSD Kodiak is requesting a trajectory for full potential and one-half potential.

On October 27, 2021, the USCG Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Cleveland notified the NOAA SSC of a mystery sheen reported in the vicinity of downtown Cleveland. The sheen may be of biological origin. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is deploying a vessel for on water investigations and sampling if necessary.

On 26-Oct-2021, the FV Arctic Ram reported a burst hydraulic line which released approximately 300 gallons of hydraulic oil into the Bering Sea. On scene conditions are reported at 12 foot seas and 30 knot winds. Sector Anchorage is requesting a fates analysis and trajectory.

On October 22, 2021, the USCG Sector Detroit emailed stakeholders to share incident details of M/V CALUMET soft aground near the Lake State Railroad Bridge in the Saginaw River. USCG is on scene, no pollution reports at this time. Tug assist should be onscene at 0630 eastern time on 10.22.21. USCG will conduct an overflight of the incident area at first light. Hotline created in case situation worsens.

On the morning of OCT 22 at 0800 the NW SSC was notified of a container ship approximately 40 miles west of the entrance to the Straits of Juan de Fuca lost about 40 containers overboard on the evening of OCT 21 at 2330. Their is a potential the overboard containers contain chemicals. Sector Puget Sound requested trajectories for the containers.

On October 21, 2021, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) received a report of 1 or possibly 2 dead belugas in Cook Inlet. The first sighting was on 10/15. On 10/21 NMFS received a second report. Based on prevailing currents and weather the past few days, NMFS is requesting assistance in determining if this could be the same beluga.

At 3:45 pm on 21 October 2021, USCG Sector North Carolina notified the NOAA SSC that the F/V Caressa Mae, an 88 ft steel hull vessel with 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board lost power and went aground in Ocrakoke Inlet. USCG has requested a trajectory.

On 10/19/21, USCG Sector Columbia River contacted the SSC regarding the NRC notification based on the NESDIS Marine Pollution Surveillance Report (MPSR) image 10/18/21 at 0271 UTC that reports an anomaly that is unconfirmed as oil approx. 21 nm NW of Coos Bay, OR. Phone support was requested.

On October 15, 2021, the USCG notified the NOAA SSC of a 48’ wooden hulled Makah Tribal Vessel Garda Marie that sank 1.5 miles north of Tatoosh Island. The vessel sank in approx. 660-840 feet of water. The vessel has approx. 400 gallons diesel and 10 gallons motor oil on board and fish in the cargo hold. The location is approximate based on the observed debris field, no sheen was observed. The USCG has an overflight scheduled this morning. CG requests a Resources at Risk.