Feed aggregator

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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).

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.