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.
This month OR&R responded to 10 incidents, including oil discharges, sunken vessels, and a hazardous chemical spill.
Here are some of July’s notable incidents:
Explosion, Fire at Dock in Whittier, Alaska Burns and Sinks Fishing Barge
On July 8, a fishing barge burned and sank after an explosion caused a fire at Delong Dock in Whittier, Alaska.
The barge, the Alaganik, sank in 80 feet of water with a potential spill volume of 5,500 gallons of diesel on board. Light sheen was visible in the water and the U.S. Coast Guard requested NOAA run an analysis on the fate and trajectory for the oil, as well as a report on the potential resources at risk.
According to a press release last month, the Coast Guard is still searching for a missing person related to the incident. The 99-foot commercial fishing vessel was initially reported to have two people on board at the time of the explosion, but officials confirmed that one of the two was safely aboard another vessel at the time of the incident.
The explosion reportedly occurred on a fixed barge, the release stated. The fire spread from the barge to the pier and then to the Alaganik. The fire was extinguished and clean-up and salvage efforts began shortly after the incident.
Vessel Partially Sank Near Hood Canal Bridge in Washington
On July 23, a vessel partially sank about 1.3 miles southwest of the Hood Canal Bridge in Jefferson County, Washington.
The M/V Silver Lining had 300 gallons of diesel fuel and 12 gallons of oil aboard at the time of the incident. An oil sheen was observed coming from the vessel. Hard boom and sorbent were put in place to prevent the spread of any discharge. The Coast Guard requested information regarding environmental sensitivities at a potential salvage site.
On July 29, the vessel was lifted without any leaking, brought to a nearby marine, and removed from the waterway.
Here is the complete list of last month’s incidents, click on the links to find out more:
- M/V OKALOOSA Allison with two barges
- M/V Mary R, M/V Mary Fern, M/V Chattie Sue Smith
- FV Alaganik Sinking
- Hurricane Barry
- Vessel Mr. Claude discharge into unnamed bayou
- Grand Isle Block 22 Sheen
- Hilcorp Manilla Village Mud Lake Spill
- Construction Barge Potential Spill
- M/V Silver Lining Spill
- MV Catalyst Grounding
- Sodium Dimethyldithiocarbamate Release near Sevenmile Creek