Incident News

On December 17, 2024, at approximately 0700 central, the M/V Dalma discharged a reported 650 gallons of motor gas oil (MGO) into the Neches River, Beaumont, TX, during heavy fog (NRC#1410146, 1419153,1419202). MGO discharged has an API of 29.2 and a very low sulfur content (<0.1 by mass). No response was conducted due to weather conditions. On December 18, MSU Port Arthur contacted NOAA SSC to request fate and trajectory. OSROs are on site.

On December 17, 2024, the USCG received reports of a mystery sheen in Main Pass 69, Louisiana. Sheen appeared to originate from an abandoned TPIC platform. The source of the sheen was not confirmed. NOAA was asked to evaluate photos.

15 Dec 2024 Volgoneft 212, a Russian-flagged tanker, sank approximately 5nm south of the Kerch Strait in the northern Black Sea during a severe storm. The tanker was carrying 4,300 tonnes of low-grade heavy fuel oil. Thick black oil has impacted 15 nautical miles of beachfront near the town of Anapa. Another Russian vessel, Volgoneft 239 ran aground near Taman during the same storm. It is unclear if this vessel is spilling oil. US Department of State requested assistance from NOAA ORR ERD.

On 12/11/2024, USCG Sector Western Alaska & US Arctic contacted the SSC regarding the grounding of the pleasure craft Mystery near Sand Point, AK. The vessel lost navigation and ran aground on boulder-sized rocks at 21:00 on 12/10/204. USCG rescued the persons on board. Approximatly 600 gallons of diesel and 30 gallons each of lube and hydraulic oil is on board. USCG is requesting input on the fate of the fuel and resources at risk.

On 11-DEC-24, USCG Sector Houston-Galveston contacted NOAA aSSC for Region 6 about a diesel fuel release that occurred on a tanker during a fuel transfer at the Kinder Morgan Dock 2 in Galena Park, TX. During the transfer 2 barrels of diesel marine fuel was released onto the deck of the vessel with 0.5 barrels making it into the water. OSROs cleaning the spill asked USCG if they could use a SWA to clean the product off the deck of the vessel. USCG requested NOAA recommendations for cleaning up the product.

On December 10, 2024, NOAA received reports of mystery sheens in Main Pass 81 and several miles to the east, south of the Chandeleur Islands. The largest sheen observation was 34 miles in length. Related NRC reports: #1418539 and #1418404. NOAA provided trajectory and assistance identifying possible sources.

On December 10, 2024, the USFW received a report of a 32 mile light sheen originating from a bubbling source in Main Pass 81. USCG is investigating the source of the sheen. NOAA will provide trajectory.

On December 9, 2024, NOAA PNW SSC was notified of an overturned tank truck by EPA FOSC. Tanker was carrying gasoline with a WCD of 2000 gallons. EPA requested guidance on notifying tribal partners and input on impacted endangered species. Tanker spilled into Keechelus Lake, a reservoir that has tributaries that flow into the Yakima and Columbia River.

On December 8, 2024, the USFW notified the NOAA SSC of a mystery sheen in Delta National Wildlife Refuge. The Texas Petroleum Investment Company (TPIC) tested their infrastructure in the area and reported no potential sources. NOAA provided a hindcast. No source was identified.

On December 8, 2024, the NOAA SSC was notified by USFWS of a mystery sheen in the Delta National Wildlife Refuge from a TCIP Duck oil field. TPIC reported that the sheen was originating west of their wells and passing east through Octave Pass. NOAA assessed images of the spill and provided an opinion on the directional movement of the sheen.

On November 27, 2024, the Puerto Rico Energy Facility in San Juan Harbor had a release of an estimated 25 Bbls of fuel oil #6. MSRC is onscene and conducting recovery and cleanup operations. They estimate that they quickly recovered 2 to 3 Bbls of oil from the water after the release. 17-19 Bbls entered San Juan Harbor and under and around adjacent dock structures, and along the mostly rocky shoreline. Oil also coated the MV Dubai Green, a public boat ramp, and another adjacent vessel, the Mel Grace. The USCG will coordinate RRT coordination for review of cleanup plans, use of chemicals, and cleanup endpoints.

On 26-NOV-24, USCG MSU Victoria contacted NOAA Region 6 aSSC to receive cleanup recommendations for a hydraulic leak that occurred at the Formosa Plastics Corporation Facility in Point Comfort, TX. The leak occurred on a hydraulic line of a crane at the facility, which sprayed and left an impacted area of about 25ft x 20ft on the hull of a foreign vessel that was moored at the facility. The facility has picked up responsibility for cleaning the product off of the vessel and contacted USCG for the appropriate process for cleaning the vessel. USCG contacted NOAA to inquire about the use of surface washing agents.

On November 26, 2024, the USCG notified the NOAA SSC of the 670' wheat-carrying bulk freighter M/V Tim S. Dool soft aground in mud in the St. Lawrence Seaway, having grounded mid-day on Nov 23. No pollution has been observed from the ship. Divers have inspected the hull and found no threatening damage. Fuel tanks have been sounded and 138,308 gallons of marine diesel oil are reported aboard. A salvage plan is being developed and a tug is on standby to assist as needed. USCG D9 DRAT and Sector Eastern Great Lakes requested spot weather forecasts.

On 21-NOV-24, USCG Sector Houston-Galveston IMD contacted NOAA acting Region 6 SSC to notify them of the sunken Tug Kathy Pawg, which allided with a dredging line and sank in Galveston Bay, TX at 1330 central time. The tug sank with a max capacity of 11,000 gallons of red dye diesel aboard and it is believed that 800 gallons of diesel are in the water at this time. USCG is on-scene and have encapsulated the sunken tug with hard boom and skimmers are collecting product. USCG is requesting oil trajectory and fate analysis of product that is in the water.

On November 24, 2024, the USCG Sector Puget Sound IMD notified the NOAA RRO of a 57' wooden hulled Chris Craft that had broken loose from its anchorage and has started to take on water. The Vessel is reported to have ~60 gallons of diesel with max potential 1200 gal. diesel fuel with 30 gal motor oil. IMD requested spot forecast for the afternoon and into the next day for anticipated contractor operations. No other scientific support request at this time.

On November 18, 2024, the USCG Sector Northern New England notified the NOAA SSC about a commercial fishing vessel that ran aground off Jamestown, RI overnight. Initial reports suggested that a diesel spill may have occurred but responders on scene have not observed any spill.

At 0400 on 06-NOV-2024, a Union Pacific derailed near Wallula, WA near the Columbia River. Six refrigeration carts derailed and initially the max potential of fuel release was 660 gallons, but has now been adjusted to 1,467 to 2,600 gallons of red dye diesel released.

On November 7, 2024, the USCG Sector San Diego contacted the SSC regarding a 27-foot sailboat on the rocks of the north jetty of Oceanside Harbor, Oceanside, CA. The USCG estimates less than 50 gallons of diesel are on board, and there is no sheen. The USCG requested assistance with conducting an ESA Section 7 emergency consultation.

On 05-NOV-25, USCG Sector Columbia River contacted NOAA NW RRO to notify them of a 50ft crabbing vessel that sank at the Port of Westport in Westport, WA. USCG and WA ECY were on-scene and observed a red dye diesel sheen on the water. The vessel has a max potential of 1,200 gallons, but it is believed that the vessel’s tanks were dry and that the sheen is coming from three 55 gallons drums on the back deck that became free when the vessel sank.

On Monday 11/4/2024, USCG Sector Southeast Alaska contacted the SSC regarding a report from USGS indicating a potential discharge from a mine tailings pond at the Premier Gold Mine in Premier, British Columbia, Canada.