Incident News

Seward (AK) Harbormaster notified the USCG of a sheen coming from a fish processing vessel, MV Lady Angela, in the Seward Harbor on 2/21/2025. The sheen was traced to 42 drums of an oil-water mixture, which have damage, likely due to freezing temperatures. Oily water was also found in the fish holds. The SSC briefed USCG on potential protected in the Seward Harbor.

USCG contacted the SSC at 1000 on 23 Feb 2025 to report that tarballs have been reported north of Lake Worth Inlet and on Jupiter and Stuart Beaches. Initial distribution estimates are about 1 tarball every foot in areas of concentration. USCG is on-scene to further assess the contamination and will provide additional location and distribution information when available. The USCG and State are discussing cleanup options and leads.

On February 22, NOAA ERD received email notification from WA ECY for a pleasure craft Goldfinch, which had sunk at Port Hudson Marina. The vessel had reported 350-400 gallons of diesel which had started to discharge into containment boom. USCG is on site and vessel owner is coordinating contractors through insurance.

On February 21, 2025, the USCG MSD Ketchikan contacted the NOAA regarding a vessel that capsized in Clarence Strait, near Thorne Bay, Alaska. USCG received an EPIRB signal at 18:30 on 2/202/2025. USCG requested observations of weather, waves, and currents from the time of EPRIB activation.

On February 21, 2025, the USCG contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a reported release of an estimated 1,026 lbs. of sulfur dioxide from the Chevron Pascagoula refinery. The NOAA SSC provided a hazard assessment and threat analysis via CAMEO and MARPLOT. It has been reported that the release lasted for 15 minutes and the flare is back in operation.

On February 18, 2025, USCG Sector Delaware Bay notified the NOAA SSC that a tugboat was on fire in the Delaware River. Tug boat crew evacuated and several fire boats are on-scene assisting. Vessel has approximately 23,600 gallons of petroleum products on board. No pollution reported.

At 1900 on February 17, SSC was notified of a fire at the Consumers Energy coal power plant in Hampton Township, MI. In addition to the fire, 14,000 gallons of mineral oil were suspected released. The SSC contacted the USCG Sector Detroit IMD Chief to discuss the incident. The fire had been contained, and the mineral oil and runoff water were also contained within the secondary containment boundary. No sheen observed on the water.

On 15 February 2025, Pacific NW SSC was notified by HDO of a message from EPA. SSC contacted EPA FOSC who described a red dye diesel spill in Amity, Oregon. Spill estimated 250 gallons, source secure, and responders on scene. EPA did not request any products.

At 12:30pm on 14 Feb 2025, Virginia Dept of Environmental Quality notified the NOAA SSC that at 0710am the International-Matex Tank Terminals (IMTT) bulk terminal reported that an equipment failure resulted in the release of an estimated 1,700 gallons of No. 6 oil into the Elizabeth River.

On 12-FEB-2025, the USCG D-11 District Response Advisory Team (DRAT) alerted their NOAA SSC to a US Navy fighter jet (F-18) crash into San Diego Bay. The initial location description was near the South end of Shelter Island. Early NRC reports note a small area of sheen in the water and a potential spill volume of 300 gallons of jet fuel. A NOAA Factsheet on Kerosene & Jet Fuel spills was provided to USCG Sector San Diego as they support the Navy during response operations.

On the morning on 12 Feb 2025, USCG Sector North Carolina notified the NOAA SSC that the FV JANE CAROLYN, a 81 ft commercial fishing vessel ran aground on a shoal at the mouth of the Ocracoke Inlet. Vessel has 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board. No pollution reported. Sector North Carolina requested a NOAA spill trajectory.

On February 7, 2025, W&T Offshore, Inc. released an unknown amount of produced water (and associated oil) into the Gulf of Mexico. This release has resulted in multiple NESDIS Marine Pollution Surveillance reports stretching over a total of 50 miles offshore.

On February 8, 2025, the USCG D7 and Sector Miami reported that tarballs had been reported in the water nearshore from Fort Lauderdale Beach to West Palm Beach. USCG forwarded a 911 report that swimmers were reportedly being exposed to an oily substance that was difficult to get off. USCG is sending a team out to investigate and acquire samples and is also scheduling an overflight. NOAA is looking at currents, and winds to assess possible movement of these tarballs over time and going forward. NOAA is also compiling a resources at risk report for the affected area described including Port Everglades. Additional locations of tarballs and times reported are expected to be provided once UISCG can obtain that information.

On the afternoon of 2/6/2025, a Bering Air plane was reported missing between Unalakleet and Nome, AK. The SSC was invited by NWS to participate in their internal coordination on supporting the search and rescue, including attending the NWS briefing calls to the State Emergency Operations Center. SSC is also in contact with USCG. Multiple other NOAA Offices & Programs are monitoring and offering support incident. USCG located the plane on 2/7/2025 in the early afternoon.

On February 6, 2025, the USCG notified the SSC regarding a fire at the Trident Seafoods facility in Sand Point. The fire is reported to only affecting the control room. Approximatly 40 gallons of diesel and hydraulic oil were released, with a maximum potential of 200 gallons of diesel. The fire did not damage the ammonia storage systems at the facility.

On 1/31/2025, USCG Sector Lower MS contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a natural gas pipeline release in the MS River near Shives, Arkansas. USCG requested fate and transport information as well as hazard assessment and recommendations. River was closed under COTP authorities. USCG is reaching out to Federal and local partners to notify and potentially assist. RP states, release is secured. NOAA hazard assessment and recommendations provided to USCG. Discussion on river reopening completed around 1300, river reopened. NOAA products posted to incident hotline.

At 0100 hours on 30 January 2025, USCG Sector Maryland NCR notified the NOAA SSC that at approximately 2100 hours on 29 January, a passenger aircraft and a Army Black Hawk helicopter collided mid-air over the Potomac River adjacent to Washington D.C.'s Ronald Reagan National Airport. Sector requested an spill trajectory.

Starting Feb 03 2025, the NOAA SSC was notified that NESIDS SAB and USCG tracked multiple reports of sheen in the Main Pass area of the Mississippi River. The USCG eventually identified TPIC Well #58 as the likely source of the sheen. This well was shut in.

On January 27, 2025, the Louisiana Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reported oiled shoreline, sheen in Bay Long and Lake Grand Ecaille. LDWF also reported dead and oiled birds along the impacted shoreline. Hilcorp is responding to the spill. Hilcorp also reported a 5bbl crude oil spill in the vicinity on Jan 22, 2025. It has not yet been determined if the two incidents are related.

On January 27, 2025, the SSC received a phone call from MSU Duluth, MN regarding the 1000' ITB Presque Isle, discovered to be leaking oil at 1000 Central on January 24, NRC #1421777. The ship is fast in ice dockside at the Southmost slip on Rice's Point, Duluth, MN. OSRO OSI is on scene and has deployed boom and sorbents and recovered 20 gal of oil, suspected to be from the ship's bow thruster with a total capacity of 135 gal and an estimated pre-spill capacity of 35 gal. MSU Duluth has requested feedback on employed tactics for response on and under the ice.