Incident News

1On October 17, 2023, the Texas Petroleum Investment Company (TPIC) reported an approx 5bbl (210-gallon) spill of crude oil from a flowline into adjacent marsh. NRC# 1382018. Approx .19 acres of marsh has been impacted. UC determined that an insitu burn would be the best response tool. NOAA SSC engaging with UC regarding response tactics.

On October 12, 2023, the USCG Sector Columbia River contacted the NOAA NW RRO in reference to a potential sheen reported at Bandon, OR. USCG is en route and has sent photos they received from on-scene and requested an opinion on whether this is a natural phenomenon or a petroleum release.

On the afternoon of 26-SEP-2023, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC for oil fate/transport support for an ongoing sunken vessel case in the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta. On 04-SEP, the Tug MAZAPETA sank to the bottom (partially submerged) in Little Potato Slough, a tributary of the Stockton Deep Water Channel. The owner estimated 1,000 gallons diesel and 600 gallons engine oil were on-board at the time of sinking. Sector San Francisco requested oil fate/transport information to assist in discussions with the City of Stockton and other key stakeholders

On the evening of September 17 USCG Sector Northern New England notified the NOAA SSC of a vessel that broke free of it's mooring during Hurricane Lee, ran aground near Bar Harbor, ME, and spilled an estimated 1800 gallons of diesel fuel.

On 16-SEP-2023 at 0940L, Oregon DEQ notified the NOAA SSC that the Clackamas Fire & Hazmat is responding to a fire that began at approx. 0830L at a County owned fiberglass building. The building has asbestos and is undergoing abatement. The FD is looking for plume modeling to issue evacuations of nearby residents. ODEQ is contacting EPA for an IMAAC model.

On 14SEP2023 at 1545CT, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) contacted the NOAA SSC in order to find out about potential monitoring capabilities for the status of the extent of red tide along the Gulf Coast of Texas. The SSC coordinated contact between TPWD, USCG AIRSTA, and Sector Houston-Galveston.

At approximately 3pm EDT on September 13 CT DEEP notified the NOAA SSC about a spill onboard the Atlantic Oceanic while fueling at the Gateway Terminal on the Thames River north of New London, CT. A small sheen was reported.

On September 13, a fire occurred at the Great Lakes Tissue Company in Cheboygan, MI. The facility is on the Cheboygan River in the inland zone. EPA was notified and USCG pollution responders were tasked to deploy to the scene. IMD staff contacted local responders to discuss PFAS/AFFF release mitigation. The SSC provided ERMA support to identify priority strategic sites, water intakes, and ESI data.

On 8-SEPT-2023, the EPA notified the NOAA SSC of an approx. 3,000 gallon diesel spill from a tanker truck in Everett, WA. Approx. 2,000 gallons of diesel was released into a tributary of Union Slough, but is contained by a gate system that is closed.

On 30-AUG-2023, approx. 450 gallons of cooking oil released upriver of the Black River Pump Station in Renton, WA. Thus far, this has been a State led-response, the WA DFW and WA Dept of Ecology have been responding and Clean Harbors is contracted for cleanup operations. Currently, approx. 130 gallons of oil have been recovered and there continues to be concern with oiled wildlife and vegetation and low dissolved oxygen in the water. The Black River Pump Station fish ladder currently remains closed. On 13-SEPT, WA Dept. of Ecology contacted the NOAA SSC for advice on SCAT, cleanup recommendations, and NOAA Fisheries advice on whether or not to open the fish passages for upcoming salmon migrations.

A drug runner sailboat modified to operate as a semi-submarine grounded and was abandoned on Mona Island, Puerto Rico on or about 31 August, 2023. The vessel is leaking diesel fuel and is in prime sea turtle habitat. NOAA's Scientific Support Coordinator has discussed the issue with NOAA's Office of Protected Resources and the US Coast Guard.

Late on August 31, 2023, a crude oil spill occurred at Port Manatee in Tampa Bay. The estimated volume of release oil is 3500 gallons. Most of the oil is within the Port Manatee Basin but some has escaped the basin and entered Tampa Bay. USCG is on the scene investigating. Currently, the source is uncertain. Imagery from NOAA NGS post-hurricane Idalia flights show some sheen in the Port basin, This imagery was obtained sometime during the morning on 1 Sept, 2023. NOAA is preparing a trajectory forecast, oil fate analysis, Resources at Risk, and an initial draft emergency consultation form for the USCG.

On 28-AUG-2023, USCG Sector Puget Sound notified the NOAA SSC that a 26-foot cabin cruiser sank in Bellingham Bay, WA. It is unknown how much fuel product is on board the vessel. There has been no reported sheen or fuel observed in the water. Ownership of the vessel is under investigation, The USCG opened the OSLTF and requested a verbal ESI/ Resources at Risk to prepare for pollution response.

USCG District 7 established a Crisis Action Team on Saturday 26 August 2023 to begin preparation in advance of the tropical system that has now developed into hurricane Idalia. As of 0700 Monday 28 August 2023, the USCG has shifted to a full Incident Management Area Command function at USCG air station Miami. The State is establishing an emergency operations center in Tallahassee today and a USCG representative is enroute. NOAA's SSC has been coordinating preparations with the USCG over the weekend and is now present at the area command to coordinate NOAA support in preparation for the storm landfall and post storm assessments as requested. The NOAA navigational response team has been contacted to request their status and plans for support.

Late Sunday night (27-AUG-2023), USCG Sector San Francisco contacted ERD’s Hazmat Duty Officer for notification purposes only of the 53’ Motor Yacht SERENITY then adrift. The SERENITY was the subject of a USCG search & rescue operation Sunday evening with an estimated 800 gallons diesel on-board. The incident occurred during heavy weather conditions (winds exceeding 20 knots from the NW and building to well over 30 knots) and all persons on board (POBs) were rescued. ERD provided support for possible drift estimates of the vessel to inform the vessel owner’s aerial search planned for Friday (01-SEP), in the event it is still afloat.

On August 25, 2023, the USCG Sector Juneau contacted NOAA AK aSSC to notify them of the 38ft F/V Cathy Anne that began listing at the south side of the mouth of Funter Bay. The vessel has 250 gallons of diesel aboard, and at the time of notification, was not releasing product. USCG performed SAR operations to rescue crewmembers and are now dealing with recovering the vessel. USCG requested from AK aSSC any information on sensitive resources in the area that could be impacted if a release occurred.

On 23-AUG-2023 the USCG Station Astoria notified the NOAA SSC of the F/V Pacific Bay taking on water while moored at the Westport Marina, WA. There is a max. potential of approx. 1,200 gallons of diesel on board. The vessel owner is repairing the bilge pump and is making plans to pump off the oily water to totes at the Port of Grays Harbor.

Around 0900 on August 21, USCG Sector Northern New England contacted the SSC about a 53' recreational vessel that caught fire and sank near Seguin Island, ME on August 19 around 2300. The USCG requested trajectory and resources at risk support. The vessel was reported to have 410 gallons of diesel on board. No spills or sheens were reported.