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On March 9, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) that the container ship OOCL Sunflower lost 32 shipping containers overboard on March 3, while transiting south of the Aleutian Island Chain enroute from Taiwan to the Port of Long Beach, California. The crew is unable to make a final assessment of the damages due to safety concerns, and intends to perform a full evaluation in port upon arrival to the Port of Long Beach on March 12. The crew has not observed any overboard discharge of material, nor damage below the waterline. The vessel is currently located 1,200 nautical miles west of Portland, Oregon, heading southeast. USCG Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach is preparing for the arrival of the vessel. The NOAA scientific support team is currently reviewing the cargo manifest.

On the morning of March 6, 2026, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Ohio Valley contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) regarding a release of a potential 15-million gallons of untreated sewage into the Ohio River at/near mile marker (MM) 5 near Pittsburgh. No hazardous waste or oil discharge was reported. The USCG requested from NOAA basic information on sewage discharges and general consultation and recommendations. The SSC provided background information on previous similar events and is standing by if further support is requested. No further action is anticipated at this time. Jurisdiction is outside of the National Contingency Plan (NCP) and USCG. Local authorities and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have all been notified and consulted with.