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 23 incidents, including oil discharges, sunken vessels, and other pollution-related incidents.
Here are some of October's notable incidents:
Sunken Vessel Releases Diesel Fuel Near Olympia, Washington
On Oct. 4, a 92-foot recreational yacht reportedly released an unknown amount of diesel oil after it sunk at its slip in West Bay Marina in Olympia, Washington.
The vessel, King’s Way, was reportedly carrying 1,200 gallons of fuel at the time it sank. Responders on scene deployed containment and absorbent boom to prevent environmental impact and aid in the removal of the spilled product.
The U.S. Coast Guard opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to contract a team to clean up the spill and remove the remaining fuel and hazardous materials from the vessel to prevent further pollution, according to a Coast Guard press release.
Platform Pipeline Discharges 840 Gallons of Oil Near North Pass, Louisiana
On Oct. 7, the U.S. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report that oil discharged from a platform pipeline seal near North Pass, Louisiana.
According to a Coast Guard press release, the pipeline reportedly released 840 gallons of oil into the water and nearby marsh area. In addition to impacts to the marsh habitat, an oiled bird was reportedly seen on site.The source of the discharge was secured, and a total of 8,000 feet of containment boom and 6,000 feet of sorbent were deployed to control the oily product. A skimmer and wash pumps were used for cleanup operations.
OR&R’s Emergency Response Division provided on-scene support through the regional scientific support coordinator. OR&R also provided fate and trajectory for the oil, as well as a report on the resources at risk in the area.
Fishing Vessel Sinks Near Garibaldi, Oregon
On Oct. 14, a 65-foot commercial fishing vessel sank in the port of Garibaldi, Oregon while carrying up to 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel.
The vessel, the Amak, was reportedly abandoned years ago and custody fell to the marina. An unknown amount of diesel fuel spilled during the incident.
The U.S. Coast Guard hired a diving and salvage contractor to conduct cleanup and remove remaining contaminants from the vessel. OR&R provided a resources at risk report for any potential environmental impacts.
Here is the complete list of last month’s incidents, click on the links to find out more:
- Sunken Dredge Tender, Calcasieu Channel
- Sunken Towing Vessel ITV ROY H.
- OSK Dock Collapse
- Gray Whale Carcass Movement
- Sunken Vessel - P/C King's Way
- Phillips 66 Refinery Spill
- TPIC Platform Pipeline Release Block 69
- M/V RT. HON. PAUL J. MARTIN Aground
- Mystery Spill, Brazil
- Corpus Christi Inner Harbor Mystery Spill
- Grounded Rec Vessel, San Bernard, TX
- Sunken Rec Vessel, San Bernard, TX
- Sunken Fishing Vessel AMAK
- Hilcorp Energy Berrwood E-5 Facility Spill
- Silver sheen, Breton Sound Block 27a
- TPIC Romere Pass Well 21 Spill
- FMT 3114 Barge MM 480 Mississippi River
- Sunken Fishing Vessel FURIOUS SEAS
- LPG Tanker EPIC BALTA Fire
- Calpine Corp: Propylene Glycol
- Whitney Oil & Gas TB49 Spill
- TPIC Breton Sound 37 Facility Spill
- James River, Virginia Diesel Oil Spill