Every month our Emergency Response Division provides scientific expertise and services to the U.S. Coast Guard on everything from running oil spill trajectories to model where the spill may spread, to possible effects on wildlife and fisheries, and estimates on how long the oil may stay in the environment.
Here are some of April’s notable incidents:
Dielectric Fluid Release in the Straits of Mackinac, Michigan
On the evening of April 2, 2018, approximately 400 gallons of dielectric fluid was reportedly released from a power cable crossing the Straits of Mackinac, Michigan. The Coast Guard contacted NOAA to request trajectory and resources at risk.
According to a Coast Guard press release, each cable can hold up to 400 gallons of fluid. As of April 26, 612 gallons of mineral oil had been extracted from the two severed cables. The Unified Command approved a plan to cap and seal the severed utility cables and there is no evidence of an ongoing release.
High Sulfur Fuel Spill in the Mississippi River
On Thursday, April 12, 2018, the Singapore-flagged vessel Pac Antares struck a wharf on the Mississippi River near New Orleans. The allision punctured one of the ship's fuel tanks resulting in a discharge of heavy fuel oil into the river.
According to an April 22 Coast Guard press release, crews have recovered approximately 11,500 gallons of liquid waste and about 348 cubic yards of solid waste. At the time of reporting, the Unified Command had deployed 140 people, 30 vessels, six skimmers, and 2,900 feet of containment boom in response to the incident.
Heavy Fuel Oil Discharge from Vessel near Norco, Louisiana
On April 23, 2018, a heavy fuel oil discharge was reportedly coming from a foreign-flagged vessel, M/V Iver Exporter, near mile marker 126 on the Lower Mississippi River near Norco, Louisiana.
According to a Coast Guard press release, an estimated 1,400 gallons of fuel oil was discharged into the river — a revised number from the initial 2,600 gallons believed to be discharged. Overflights, on-water and shoreline assessments found shoreline impact from mile marker 126 to 122. According to the release, the cause of the incident is still under investigation.
Vessel Grounding in Key West, Florida
A 55-foot vessel reportedly ran aground at the Rock Key Sanctuary Preservation Area off Key West, Florida on Friday, April 27. Attempts to salvage the Paradise have been unsuccessful due to weather and sea conditions, but are expected to continue this weekend when conditions are likely to improve.
The vessel reportedly had about 550 gallons of diesel and 15-20 gallons of lube oil on board. No pollution release has been reported at this time. NOAA is running fate and trajectory analysis in the event of a release.
Here is the complete list of last month’s incidents, click on the links to find out more:
- F/V MOUNT TAMGUS
- Pertamina Pipeline, Balikpapan Bay, Borneo
- P/C Ocean Breeze aground
- Bay Jacques Crude Spill
- Straits of Mackinac, MI Dielectric Fluid Release
- Mystery Sheen Mississippi MM 163
- High Sulfur Fuel Spill Mississippi River
- UTV Charlie Wallace
- Eversource Dielectric Fluid
- Dredge Barge Fire, Port O' Connor, Matagorda Bay TX
- M/V Iver Exporter
- Askinuk Tank Farm Gasoline Release
- Pier 88 Newark Bay Diesel Release
- Superior Refining Company Explosion Superior, WI
- Southwest pass Mystery Sheen
- Vessel Paradise Grounding, Key West, FL
- M/V MAERSK WOLFSBURG Diesel Spill