Feed aggregator
Possible Pollutant Report; off Stinson Beach, California
On March 15, 2025, the USCG Sector San Francisco IMD contacted their NOAA SSC regarding a possible oil sighting off of Stinson Beach, CA. Initial reports from Stinson Beach Fire Department indicated “black blotches breaking up in the water”. SBFD was not able to get within 500 yards of the material, but did not smell any petroleum product. They chose to make a report to the National Response Center (NRC) in an abundance of caution. USCG then requested input on a possible pollution event. Photos were provided.
Crude oil discharge, Berth 55; Port of Long Beach, California
On March 12, 2025, the NOAA SSC was notified that an undetermined quantity of crude oil had reportedly discharged from an underground pipeline into a storm drain, ultimately reaching the Port of Los Angeles near Berth 55. Within the hour, the source was secured and USCG & OSROs were on-scene conducting clean-ups. Primary and secondary containment boom was deployed, two vacuum trucks actively skimming, and four vessels were on water working the cleanup. The morning of 13-MAR, an informal request for use of surface washing agent (SWA) was made for the purpose of de-contaminating local bulkheads and vessel hulls. USCG and California’s Office of Spill Prevention & Response (OSPR) requested NOAA SSC input and an incident-specific RRT request for SWA is being processed.
Leak in Underwater Transfer Line, Whitney Gas Lake Hatch Main Facility; Houma, Louisiana
On 3/8/25, Coast Guard MSU Houma contacted the NOAA SSC regarding NRC Report 1425362. The report indicated a discharge of approximately 2 barrels of crude oil from a pinhole leak in a 4-inch underwater transfer line at Whitney Gas Lake Hatch Main facility. Facility personnel have bled down and shut in the transfer line, securing the discharge. The Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge is approximately 3 miles west but is not expected to be affected. The SSC provided initial recommendations and awaiting further details from assessment.
Fuel Leak from Containership MSC Anisha R; Virginia Beach, Virginia
On March 8, 2025, the NOAA SSC received a notification from USCG Sector Virginia that the containership, MSC ANISHA R, that had departed Philadelphia, PA on 6 March and en route to Port of Virginia, noticed fuel leaking out of its #1 port fuel tank, running down the port side hull and into water resulting in a visible sheen. The amount of fuel lost unknown. COTP requested a trajectory for a WCD of 304,000 gallons of #6 heavy fuel oil. USCG plans to conduct an overflight at first daylight, Sunday.
Three-Yacht Fire on the Miami River; Miami, Florida
On March 11, 2025, the USCG Sector Miami Command Center (SECMIA) received a report from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (F/R) regarding three large moored and unoccupied vessels on fire at the Chamonix Marina on the Miami River. Initially, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue requested only a safety broadcast, with no Coast Guard (CG) marine response; however, as the fire intensified, they requested CG assistance in establishing a safety zone around the area. SECMIA issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast (UMIB) and launched STAMIA. CG33128 arrived on-scene and established the safety zone until the fire was extinguished. The three vessels involved are the 110FT P/C NIRVANAH, the 70FT P/C INDIGO, and the 44FT P/C ABOUT TIME. The total estimated pollution is 1,860 gallons
Lost Shipping Containers, C/V S.M Portland; Buldir Island, Alaska
On 3/4/2025, the USCG contacted the SSC regarding a cargo ship, C/V S.M. Portland, lost 81 shipping containers, approximately 30 miles North of Buldir Island, Aleutian Islands. USCG drift models indicated the containers, if floating, are drifting south. The containers are listed as general cargo, but the contents are presently unknown. USCG is requesting an overflight tomorrow (3/6/2025).
Oily Water Leak from M/V Lady Angela; Boat Harbor, Seward, Alaska
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.
South Florida Tarball Reports, Feb 23, 2025; Jupiter, Florida
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.
Pleasure Craft Goldfinch Sinking and Diesel Spill; Port Townsend, Washington
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.
Vessel Capsize, Clarence Strait; Thorne Bay, Alaska
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.
Sulfur Dioxide released at Chevron Refinery; Pascagoula, Mississippi
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.
Tugboat Fire on Delaware River; Delaware City, DE
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.
Consumers Energy Coal Power Plant Fire and Mineral Oil Spill; Essexville, MI, USA
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.
Red Dye Diesel Residential Spill; Amity, Oregon
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.
Spill of No. 6 Oil at IMTT Bulk Terminal; Elizabeth River, Virginia
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.
Navy Jet Fighter Crash; San Diego Bay, CA
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.
FV JANE CAROLYNN Aground in Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina
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.
Produced Water Spill from W&T Offshore, Inc.; Gulf of Mexico
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.
Mystery Tarballs, South Florida shorelines; Manalapan, Florida
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.
Missing Aircraft in Norton Sound region; Nome, Alaska
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.
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