Incident News

On June 4, 2021, the USCG Sector North Carolina notified the NOAA SSC that the Navy vessel, USS TRUXTUN, while conducting an internal fuel transfer discharged an estimated 35,000 gallons of fuel oil approximately 60 miles east of Virginia Beach, Virginia. USCG requested a trajectory model and additional supplementary information.

On June 2, 2021, the NOAA SSC received a call for the MV Deliverance, a 57 foot yacht, on fire ~5 miles off the coast of South Carolina, near Charleston. The vessel had been on fire for approximately 3 hours—the fire was reported extinguished around 1100 local. The crew was safely rescued. The vessel was reported to have 1200 gal diesel on board, before the fire. A trajectory and resources at risk have been requested.

At 0800 on 2 June, 2021, USCG Sector New York notified the NOAA SSC that they were responding to a motor oil spill from a bladder lined shipping container in Newark, NJ. An estimated 6,000 gallons of motor oil was spilled with an estimated 1,000 gallons entering the Passaic River. Sector New York requested NOAA SSC to provide recommendations on response tactics, a description of potential resources at risk.

The Container Ship X-Press Pearl has been on fire since May 25th off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The fire has been contained but the ship is now expected to sink. Attempts to tow the vessel away from shore have been unsuccessful. The ship was reportedly loaded with approximately 1500 containers including 81 with dangerous goods. The precise contents are still being investigated, but include nitric acid. Some containers were lost overboard and all have been damaged by the fire. Plastic pellets (nurdles) are washing ashore. Leaking bunker fuel is a concern but no reports of oil spills so far. The US DOS, USAID, DOD, and National Security Council are in discussions about providing potential assistance including members of the US National Response Team. This hotline is being opened to capture information about the incident.

The Container Ship X-Press Pearl has been on fire since May 25th off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The fire has been contained but the ship is now expected to sink. Attempts to tow the vessel away from shore have been unsuccessful. The ship was reportedly loaded with approximately 1500 containers including 81 with dangerous goods. The precise contents are still being investigated, but include nitric acid. Some containers were lost overboard and all have been damaged by the fire. Plastic pellets (nurdles) are washing ashore. Leaking bunker fuel is a concern but no reports of oil spills so far. The US DOS, USAID, DOD, and National Security Council are in discussions about providing potential assistance including members of the US National Response Team. This hotline is being opened to capture information about the incident.

On 1 June, 2021, USCG Sector Virginia notified the NOAA SSC that on the evening of 31 May, USCG received a report of oiled rocks, sand and debris along a stretch of Chesapeake Bay shoreline near Cape Charles, VA. Sector Virginia has now requested response support.

On May 27, 2021, the USCG Sector Charleston notified the NOAA SSC about a sunken fishing vessel "Miss Kim" approximately 1/2 mile offshore. The unnamed 35 foot fishing vessel is completely submerged in shallow water, with an estimated 120 gallons of diesel on board. A trajectory forecast has been requested.

At 9:00 pm on 25 May 2021, USCG Sector Virginia notified the NOAA SSC about an unknown amount of oil being found in Steamboat Creek, Norfolk, Virginia. A potential RP has been identified. Volume spilled and cause are being investigated. USCG requested recommendations on response actions, clean-up endpoints and potential resources at risk.

At 4:30pm on 25 May 2021, USCG Sector North Carolina notified the NOAA SSC that the 590 ft long bulk carrier, Kite Bay, grounded outside on the Morehead City Inlet. The vessel has 111,000 gallons of fuel and 11,000 gallons of lube oil on board, though nothing has spilled at this time. USCG requested trajectory.

In the evening of 21-MAY-2021, NMFS Stranding Coordinator staff contacted the NOAA SSC for CA regarding a 40’ whale carcass at Linda Mar Beach, Pacifica, CA. The carcass is likely to be towed offshore sometime early on 23-MAY-2021. NMFS requested a carcass drift estimate to aid in determining how far offshore to tow the carcasses so they do not re-beach in the upcoming days.

On May 14, 202, USCG Sector New Orleans Incident Management Division (IMD) received NRC#1305091 reporting of an unknown amount of crude oil being discharged from a suspected abandoned underground flow line near the Crimson Midstream owned portion of the TPIC Main Pass 69 Facility. Crimson Midstream was driving pilings on the northeast side of the facility and believe that they hit an abandoned flow line between 12-15ft under the mudline. This discharge is within the Pass A Loutre State Wildlife Management Area.

On 14-MAY-2021, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to report a shipboard fire on the M/V NYK DELPHINUS, approximately 60 miles west of Monterey Bay, CA. At the time, the vessel was without propulsion and drifting. Marine fire fighting activities were underway and USCG was focused on search & rescue operations. No pollution has been reported, but it is unclear if fire fighting activities on board the ship were successful. USCG later requested a hypothetical trajectory estimate for roughly 800,000 gallons of mixed fuels in the event the incident devolves.

On May 14, 2021 the M/T Toyo lost propulsion and is adrift approximately 120 miles offshore of Galveston, TX. No vessel damage or discharge. MSU Texas City has requested a vessel drift trajectory to evaluate risk of allision with nearby platforms. Vessel is in ballast (no cargoes), loaded with approximately 1 million gallons (~24,000 bbls) fuel. Fuel is heavy crude and marine grade diesel. Assist tug enroute.

On May 13, 2021, USCG Sector Anchorage was notified of an ice dam at Buckland, AK resulting in flooding in the town. Local responders established an Incident Command and are evacuating residents. River forecasters report minimal ice still upriver, and so do not expect the ice dam to build in size. They forecast the ice dam will breach within two hours to two days, allowing the water to recede. Except for sheen of an unknown type from an unknown source, there have been no reports of pollution. USCG is monitoring the situation and standing by. No support has been requested at this time.

At 10:00am on 12 May 2021, USCG Sector Delaware Bay notified the NOAA SSC of a diesel fuel spill from a offshore supply vessel that took place in the Maurice River, NJ, (near Cape May, NJ). USCG requested trajectory for a 2,000 gallon diesel fuel spill.

In the morning of 09-MAY-2021, NMFS Stranding Coordinator in CA contacted the NOAA SSC for CA regarding two fin whale carcasses in San Diego Bay, CA. Both carcasses are likely to be towed offshore late afternoon of either 10 or 11-MAY-2021. NMFS requested a carcass drift estimate to aid in determining how far offshore to tow the carcasses so they do not re-beach in the upcoming days.

In the afternoon of 04-MAY-2021, NMFS Stranding Coordinator in CA contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a 30’ gray whale carcass in San Francisco Bay, CA. The carcass is likely to be towed offshore late afternoon/evening of 05-MAY-2021. 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 April 30, 2021, the USCG MSU Houma Incident Management Division (IMD) contacted NOAA SSC to report a wellhead leak. It was reported that the responsible party Cox Operating facility was conducting a plug and abandon (P&A) operation. The rate of release and maximum potential release is unknown at this time. MSU Houma requested a worse case discharge trajectory.

On April 28, 2021, the USCG notified the NOAA SSC of a 74ft commercial fishing vessel, GOL TIRANT, on fire less than 5 miles south of Breton Island. The vessel has a max of 3,500 gal diesel onboard. 1mile sheen to the NNE reported. USCG requesting fate and trajectory.

On April 27, 2021, the USCG Sector Columbia River notified the NOAA SSC that an approx. 80’ F/V Tiffany is releasing oil. The vessel has been derelict South of Lord Island on the Oregon side of the Columbia River for several years. There is a maximum potential of 10,000 gallons of fuel, but the actual quantity and other hazmat products aboard the vessel are unknown. Divers are assessing stability, lightering operations have begun and a soft boom has been deployed around the vessel.