Incident News

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.

On February 3, 2020, the USCG Sector Mobile notified the NOAA SSC of tug sunk near the Barry Steam Plant in the Mobile River. An estimated 50-80 gallons of diesel and small amounts of oil/lube was discharged. The release is contained and OSRO onscene. Notification only. No further action anticipated. Salvage efforts underway.

On the evening of February 3, 2020, a 70’ motorsailer ran aground on rocks north west of Hilo Harbor on the Big Island of Hawaii. USCG Sector Honolulu requested a trajectory in the event the vessel discharges its contents of 1200 - 1800 gallons of diesel. USCG is planning to take action at first light tomorrow morning.

On February 1, 2020, the USCG Sector Houston was notified of 10 - 15 bbl of dark crude oil discharging into Tabbs Bay, located northeast of Texas Ship Channel. The source was reported to be a well head pipeline but the reason for the discharge is currently unknown. USCG called NOAA requesting trajectory. The source is reportedly secured.

In January 30, 2020, the USCG Sector NOLA received NRC report 1270027 regarding a 1 mile rainbow sheen at Mississippi River mm93 (just down river of downtown New Orleans). USCG identified dark product pooled along the LDB at mm94. No source idendified. USCG contracted OSRO to conduct clean up. No observed impacts to wildlife. No requests for NOAA assistance at this time.

On January 27, 2020, the US Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound contacted the NOAA SSC for assistance in locating a navigational buoy that parted its anchor chain and drifted away sometime before 24 January 2020. Both NOAA ORR/ERD and the NOAA Navigation Manager are involved.

On January 26, 2020, the NOAA Regional Response Officer (RRO) received notification from the USCG IMD Sector New Orleans about a vessel sinking at MM 123 and actively discharging diesel into Mississippi River. One of its barge is also actively discharging sulfuric acid into the river. The NOAA RRO is working with the ERD Chemistry and Oceanography Team

At 1300 on 24 JAN 2020, USCG Sector Mobile notified SSC of an approximate 50 gallon spill of diesel into the Old Fort Bayou marsh off Highway 609 in Ocean Springs, MS. Discharge was suspected to be from a commercial vessel located near by. USCG collected samples for fingerprinting and hired an OSRO to conduct cleanup. No further support requested.

On January 19, 2020, the USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC regarding a pilot report of a possible sheen off northern CA coast, roughly 29 miles upcoast from Bodega Bay, CA. USCG requested trajectory support.

On January 16, 2020, the USCG MSD Dutch Harbor reported than a LifeMed airplane crashed into the water off the north end of the Dutch Harbor runway into Unalaska Bay. All souls were rescued The fuselage has sunk and is actively sheening. Potential of 500 gallons of Av Gas onboard. USCG has requested a trajectory and fates analysis.

On January 14, 2020, the 81-foot fishing vessel Pappy's Pride capsized after a collision with the 600-foot chemical tanker Bow Fortune near the Galveston jetties in Galveston, Texas. Two fishermen were rescued. The search for the remaining two fishermen is ongoing. Potential 14,000 gallons red-dyed diesel, tanks compromised at time of impact. USCG requested trajectory and resources at risk. The cause of the collision is under investigation.

On January 1, 2020, the USCG MSD Kodiak received notification of the FV Scandies Rose sinking due to high winds and heavy seas. It is unknown if there is a discharge at this time. Potential fuels on board include 120,000 gallons of diesel, 1200 gallons of lube oils, and 650 gallons of other oils. USCG is requesting a fates and trajectory analysis for a potential release.

On December 20, 2019, the USCG Station Coos Bay, Oregon, called the NOAA Emergency Response Division to request an air plume model for a potential ammonia release. A seafood processing facility at the Port is on fire and there is concern about a 300 lb ammonia cylinder. Status of the tank is unknown. Area being evacuated. Hazmat team en route.

On December 19, 2019, the 52' F/V MANDY JANE was the subject of a search & rescue operation and sank about 12 NM WSW of the Golden Gate Bridge (37° 44.35N, 122° 43.08 W). USCG Sector San Francisco contacted the NOAA SSC to request oil fate & trajectory support.