Incident News

At 0730 on 27 September 2024, USCG Sector Maryland notified the NOAA SSC that the MV DEFIANT was discharging diesel fuel into Baltimore Harbor. WCD is 180,000 gallons of diesel fuel. Sector Maryland requested trajectory and RAR.

On 25 September, 2024, NOAA SSC was notified that a 50 foot fishing vessel had grounded in Willapa Bay, WA at the mouth of the Columbia River. The amount of fuel or other pollutants on board is currently unknown. SSC and FOSCR discussed possible salvage operations under the authority of OSLTF

Hurricane Helene is moving northward in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and is expected to cross the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening, September 26. Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast. This hotline has been opened to capture information in advance and after landfall.

On September 23, 2024, the Michigan EGLE notified the NOAA SSC of an ongoing leak in a benzene tank at the INEOS Styrolution facility in Sarnia, Ontario. That leak is reportedly under control. MI EGLE is requesting aerial modeling for a potential larger release during or before the planned tank pump out Oct 3-5.

On Tuesday, September 17, US EPA notified SSC NW of a potential discharge from a pulp mill in Cosmopolis, WA. The 400-acre facility is owned by Cosmo Specialty Fibers and is currently dormant/non-operational. There are concerns about the large quantities of hazardous chemicals on site and the potential for a discharge of oil, hazmat, or both into the neighboring Chehalis river. Numerous tanks, totes, and drums are in varying levels of degradation. The SSC is working with WA Ecology and EPA to draft Resources at Risk/232 before any remedial actions occur.

On September 17, the SSC received a call from an anonymous party regarding a tank with approximately 7,000 gallons of waste oil on the banks of the Tagayarak River, near the mouth of the Kuskokwim River. The tank is ~1 foot from the river bank, having lost approximately 3 feet of land since summer 2023. The SSC reported the threat of discharge to the NRC and USCG Sector Western Alaska and US Arctic IMD. USCG is reaching out to the PRP to initiate the removal of the tank before further shoreline erosion.

On 16 September 2024, the State of Maryland notified the NOAA SSC about medical wastes coming ashore on Maryland's beaches. Also received USCG reports about medical wastes coming ashore along the northern beaches of Virgina, specifically the Assateague/Chincoteague area. Maryland OSC requested a hindcast.

On 13-SEP-24, USCG MSU Port Arthur contacted the NOAA NW RRO to notify them of a mystery sheen about 125 NM offshore of East Cameron, LA. The sheen was first reported on 12-SEP by Arena Offshore while they were inspecting their platforms post Hurricane Francine and is confident that it is not from their platform. A silver sheen (3.5NM x 20ft) was reported again today at 28 10’ 48”N , 92 41’ 40”W, in an area with a known collapsed platform. USCG is planning another overflight this afternoon. USCG is requesting any information on NOAA satellite imagery in this area for the next few days.

On 12 September 2024 at 7:00am, USCG Sector Delaware Bay notified the NOAA SSC that an estimated 4,000-5,000 gallons of No. 6 oil spilled during a barge loading operation at the Buckeye Terminal, Wilmington, DE. Booming and skimming operations are underway. Unknown amount of product in the Delaware River. CG requested a trajectory

On 10 SEP 2024, USCG called SSC NW to notify of a 57’ crabbing vessel on fire 3.3 nm SW of Tatoosh Island. 2 persons were MEDEVACed safely via USCG SAR OPS. Name of the vessel is Tarka II (Vessel ID: 557686); cause of fire was reported as exhaust fire. Estimated 1000 gallons of diesel on board, max potential of 4000 gallons. RP informed USCG that vessel had 10 ton chiller which used freon. USCG requested phone support and trajectory modeling. OCNMS, Makah, and Washington Ecology notified. Due to proximity with Canada, USCG has also notified the Canadian government.

NOAA ERD has been monitoring the track and development of Tropical Storm Francine which is forecast to become a hurricane and make landfall on 11 SEP 2024 on the Louisiana coast. Impacts may extend from Houston, TX through Mobile, AL. The system is expected to strengthen prior to landfall; forecasts estimate it will become a Cat 2 hurricane. The NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator has been included in district briefings. No USCG or NOAA ORR mission assignments have been issued at this time.

On 03 September 2024, SSC NW was contacted by USCG Puget Sound about a 40ft vessel grounded near Neah Bay, Washington. Responders were unable to get to the boat and there is a potential discharge of 50 gallons of diesel. USCG requested trajectory analysis to present to FOSC and tribal partners.

On 1-SEPT-24, USCG Sector Houston Galveston contacted the NOAA Acting Region 6 SSC to notify them of a 350,000 gallons release of Leachate (water that has percolated through a solid and leached out some of the constituents) into Tucker Bayou from a combined landfill and waste water treatment facility in LaPorte, Texas. The release was caused by heavy raining overflowing the tanks and a release valve failure. USCG requested information on both product and location jurisdiction.

Mid-afternoon on 31-AUG-2024, USCG Sector San Diego contacted their NOAA SSC to request support for a vessel sunk roughly 100 miles west of Point Loma, San Diego, CA. All persons on board were rescued and the vessel was reportedly carrying 600 gallons of diesel when she we went down around 1400 hrs local time. Sector San Diego requested oil fate information.

On August 25th a large landslide occurred in Ketchikan, Alaska. One fatality was reported by the media and photos indicate multiple homes were damaged. Several blocks were evacuated due to the risk of additional landslides. USCG advised mariners to be aware of potential debris in the Tongass Narrows. USCG also reported to the NRC that sheen was observed in the waterway.

On August 21, 2024, the tanker Sounion was reported to be on fire after a missile attack in Red Sea. The crew have abandoned the ship. The tanker is reported to be carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude oil. This hotline is being opened to gather information and understand the potential risks and outcomes should the vessel experience a major oil spill.

On Thursday, August 22, 2024 USCG Sector Puget Sound notified SSC NW of an abandoned 80 steel hull vessel that posed a hazard to navigation. USCG reached out to NOAA to see if an emergency ESA consultation was required. The location is outside of marine protected areas and Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.

At approximately 0530 on August 19, an estimated 1,450 gallons of concentrated fire fighting foam and 50,000 gallons of water was discharged in an airport hangar in Brunswick, ME.

On Friday, August 16 USCG Sector Southeast New England contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a 4 mile sheen south of the Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm. USCG requested potential satellite imagery

On August 15, 2024, the USCG Sector San Juan reported a sunken tug (Tug Havoc) on St Croix at the pier at the oil terminal on the south shore. The owner is taking action. The tug reportedly has 400 gallons of diesel plus hydraulic and lube oils onboard.