Incident News

On January 20, 2025, the Alaska SSC was notified of a request to scuttle a damaged and empty steel barge currently ground on an Island in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The Fderal and state agencies are reviewing the request.

On January 16, 2025, the National Weather Service contacted the California SSC to report a fire underway at a lithium-ion battery storage facility in Moss Landing, CA. Evacuation orders were issued to local residents, NWS ran a HYSPLIT air plume model, and EPA has been monitoring local air quality. This Hotline was opened to monitor the incident and capture/archive air plume modeling information.

On January 10, 2025, the USCG Sector Western Alaska and US Arctic notified the SSC regarding the sailboat Kuva that was discovered grounded on the beach on the north side of Thumb Cove, Resurrection Bay near Seward, AK. The vessel has approximately 50 gallons diesel on board, but no discharge is observed. The owner is coordinating removal of the boat, planned for next week. USCG requested assistance in identifying potential resources at risk.

On December 30, 2024, the 78.5 foot fiberglass passenger vessel (approx 75 gross tons) grounded on a coral reef SW of Culebra. The vessel has 160 gallons of diesel fuel on board and 20 gallons of lube oil. On January 10, 2025, the USCG hosted an incident specific call to brief the situation and plans going forward. Present on the call with Sector San Juan were USFWS, NOAA SSC, NOAA Restoration Center representative and Puerto Rico DNER. The RP's plan is to have all fuel removed today beginning at noon and refloat the vessel on Sunday, Jan 12th and take it to BVI for repairs.

USCG MSD Ketchikan contacted this SSC on 1/9/2025 regarding a vessel grounding off of Driest Point, near Metlakatla, Annette Island, AK. At this point, there is no discharge and an NRC report had not been filed. The max potential from this incident is 500 gallons diesel. USCG requested assistance on the fate and trajectory of a potential discharge. The SSC forwarded USCG a copy of the Small Diesel Spill Fact Sheet. No further request for assistance at this time.

On January 9, 2025, USCG Sector Virginia notified the NOAA SSC that there was an 11,000 gallon diesel fuel spill into the James River from a U.S. Navy vessel docked at the Newport News Terminal, Newport, Virginia. Source has been secured. OSROs on-scene. Booms have been deployed. Skimmers and vac trucks recovering product. USCG has requested a NOAA trajectory.

At 0730 on 9 January, 2025, USCG Sector Delaware Bay notified the NOAA SSC that the ALGOMA BERITY, a 623 ft long bulk carrier, went aground in the Delaware River, approximately 1 nmi north of the Ben Franklin Bridge, Philadelphia, PA. Vessel cargo is salt. 14,600 bbls of diesel fuel on board. Vessel allegedly hit an unidentified object in the shipping channel, damaging one of the ballast tanks. Vessel does have a slight list. No pollution reported. USCG and salvage company on-scene. No request for NOAA support at this time.

USCG Sector Western Alaska & US Arctic contact the AK SSC on 1/8/2025 regarding 45' vessel sank in the Adak small boat harbor. The harbormaster has reported a sheen. The vessel operator reported the boat was defueled; this has not been confirmed. The harbormaster has reported harbor seals are swimming nearby, potentially in the sheen. Total potential discharge is 2000 gallons diesel. USCG requested that the SSC assist with identifying resources at risk -- particularly any ESA-listed species. USCG will initiate ESA emergency consultation if they are present in the area.

On January 6, NOAA NMFS contacted SSC PNW of a train trestle collapse and railcar derailment on Jan 4 over Mary’s River near Corvallis, OR. The railcar was carrying urea which may impact the environment. No federal assistance has been requested; SSC contacted state OSC and requested updates. Location is critical habitat for ESA listed species- Chinook salmon.