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 11 incidents, including oil discharges, grounded vessels, and other pollution-related incidents.
Here are some of November's notable incidents:
Fishing Vessel Beached, on Fire at State Park near New Orleans
On Nov. 9, the U.S. Coast Guard asked NOAA to provide fate and trajectory for a potential release from a 70-foot shrimping vessel beached at Grand Isle State Park near New Orleans. The F/V Three Pigeons was reportedly on fire and carrying approximately 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board.
No sheen was reported near the site of the vessel and responders plugged all the vents.
Vessel Runs Aground Near Altamaha River, Georgia
On Nov. 10, an 88-foot fishing vessel grounded on a sand bar near the entrance to the Altamaha River in McIntosh County, Georgia. The F/V Jimmy and Charlie Jr. has a capacity for 33,000 gallons of fuel and was thought to be carrying about 15,000 gallons of diesel at the time of the incident.
No pollution reported at this time. Using funds from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, the U.S. Coast Guard worked with contractors to remove the fuel on board.
Vessel Catches Fire and Sinks at Dock in Mystic, Connecticut
On Nov. 20, a 30-foot long vessel reportedly caught fire and sank at the municipal dock in Mystic, Connecticut. Diesel fuel was actively discharging from the vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard requested NOAA provide information on potential resources at risk in the area.
Responders used pollution boom, three skimmers, and a vacuum truck to recover the discharged oil—a maximum potential of 300 gallons. All recoverable product has been removed from the vessel, and the responsible party will salvage the vessel.
Here is the complete list of last month’s incidents, click on the links to find out more:
- Derelict Vessel Removal
- Cox Operating S2 Energy East Timbalier Island Pipeline Spill
- Grand Bay Spill
- FV LOBSTER MANIA
- F/V Three Pigeons
- F/V Jimmy and Charlie Jr.
- Sunken Vessel City Island Marina, Bronx, New York
- Vessel Fire, Mystic, CT
- F/V Miss Lena, Sunk Offshore Texas
- Tug Cape Lookout
- Selawik Diesel Discharge