Incident News

On the morning of 8-Feb-2021, the NOAA SSC received an email from the State of Washington Department of Ecology that Barge Shauna Kay, transited from Vancouver, Canada to Tacoma, Washington overnight, had an observed oil sheen. The barge reported to be carrying 40,000 barrels. In an update, soundings indicated approximately 1,100 gallons #6 IFO-380 is unaccounted for. Clean-up crews are currently recovering oil from the barge deck. USCG performed an overflight this morning from Port Angeles to Tacoma and observed no oil in the water. The barge is currently moored at berth #7 in the Sitcum Waterway, Tacoma, WA. USCG requested a Resources At Risk (RAR).

On the afternoon of 3 Feb, USCG MSD Kodiak received a report about a diesel discharge in St. Herman's Harbor. On scene they observed a 300 x 300-foot sheen that was a mix of fresh product and rainbow in color. It was coming from the F/V Seabrook, which was internally transferring product earlier that day. The vessel had a maximum potential discharge based on pumping capacity of150 gallons. The RP has deployed sorbents. USCG is requesting initiation of a Section 7 consultation.

On Wednesday, 27-JAN-2021, a member of the public observed Styrofoam pieces scattered along the shoreline near Fort Funston, just south of Ocean Beach in San Francisco, and reported it to the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS). GFNMS staff then contacted NOAA OR&R to inquire whether the foam may have been related to two recent shipping container losses north of the Hawaiian Islands or to containers lost in the general vicinity back in December 2015.

On February 1, 2021, the USCG notified the NOAA SSC of an 833-foot laid-up vessel on fire in a marina. Local fire stations on scene and attempting to control the fire from other vessels. The USCG requesting a trajectory for the potential release of 70,000 gallons of light diesel and potential impact to an ice-covered bay.

On the morning of 25-JAN-2021, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to report the grounding and sinking of the F/V SUNUP within the entrance channel to Humboldt Bay the previous evening (24-JAN-2021). The 50’ wooden F/V has a maximum fuel capacity of 1,300 gallons, but at the time of sinking, the owner reported her to be carrying roughly 800-900 gallons. On-scene conditions are rough and sheening has been observed during the day. USCG requested trajectory support.

On January 21, 2021, NOAA's Emergency Response Division was notified of a mass loss of shipping containers from the vessel M/V MAERSK ESSEN approximately 455 NM north of Oahu, HI. The 1200-foot ship, with a capacity of 13,100 containers was transiting from China to Los Angeles, CA, and reported that an estimated 732 40-foot containers were lost on 1/16/2021 at position 28-24.7N 154-07.6W. No information available yet on the types of cargo lost.