An oil pipeline off the coast of Southern California ruptured, oiling shorelines in the Huntington Beach and Newport Beach areas, affecting local wildlife, and forcing beach and fishing closures.

Image Credit: USCG/PO3, Janessa Warschkow

The tug vessel Western Mariner was towing a freight vessel, headed south in Neva Straight outside of Sitka, when a steering failure onboard the tug caused the barge to collide with it. The collision pushed the tug onto the beach, resulting in the release of diesel.

Image Credit: Alaska Department of Fish and Game

The 58-foot fishing vessel Aleutian Isle sank off San Juan Island in Washington State, with an estimated 2,500 gallons of diesel on board and 100 gallons of engine oil and hydraulic oil. It was recovered from over 250 feet of water on September 17 after weeks of complex dive operations.

Image Credit: USCG

The second major hurricane of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, Hurricane Ian was a devastating and powerful Category 4 hurricane that caused widespread damage across the southeast U.S., especially the states of Florida and South Carolina.

Image Credit: NOAA/William Whitmore