Incident News
Barge MOC-12 Allision with Miss. R. Bridge, Miss R. at Vicksburg, MS
The NOAA Hazmat Duty Officer was contacted late morning on 27 Jan 13 for assistance with a barge discharging a light crude oil into the Mississippi River in the vicinity of Vickburg, MS after an allision with the Vicksburg, MS RR bridge at Mile Marker 437. The RR bridge is about 100 yards up river from the I-20 bridge, and is currently open after an initial inspection. The NOAA SSC was contacted at 11:45 am to support USCG Sector Lower Mississippi River (LMR). Sector LMR requested a trajectory to see how far the oil may have flowed down stream.
UTV Saint Paul, MM 135, North of New Orleans, LA
On 17JAN13, USCG Sector New Orleans contacted NOAA SSC in regards to a towing vessel which sank 200 ft off the right descending bank of the Mississippi River at mile marker 135, about 40 river miles west of New Orleans. The towing vessel is not currently releasing any oil or diesel, but concern is high. USCG is requesting a trajectory for a worse case discharge.
ORB Exploration, Bayou Sorrel, Outside Baton Rouge, LA
On January 15, 2013, USCG MSU Baton Rouge contacted the NOAA SSC in regards of a spill in Bayou Sorrel. The USCG was notified and responded on January 15th, even though the spill occurred on Janary 3, 2013. The spill is from a 4 inch pipeline (now secure) which released an estimated 100 bbl of crude oil. Due to the unusually arduous site conditions, authorization for in-situ burn has been requested. USCG has requested advice from NOAA.
M/T Elia, Baytown, TX
On 13JAN, USCG contacted NOAA SSC about a release of ship-board oily waste from M/T Elias into the Houston Ship Channel due to malfunctioning oily-water separator. The vessel is berthed in Baytown, TX. The vessel was already boomed due to dockside operations and the small amount released was contained immediately. The source is secure and efforts are underway to clean the bathtub ring from the 817 ft vessel. USCG seeks consultation from SSC about 204 work assignment to use surface washing agents prior to routing for RRT approval.
Shell Drill Rig Kulluk adrift, NW Gulf of Alaska
The Royal Dutch Shell drilling rig Kulluk went aground on Sitkalidak Island, Alaska on January 1, 2013. Sitkalidak is an uninhabitated island just south of Kodiak Island. The Kulluk was being towed from Dutch Harbor to Seattle by the towing vessel Aiviq when it lost engine power, which caused the loss of the Kulluk. Although power was restored to the Aiviq, subsequent attempts at reattaching the tow were not successful, in part due to heavy weather. The Kulluk has on board approximately 144,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 16,000 gallons of lube oils and hydraulic fluid. Currently the Kulluk is sitting upright and there are no observable fuel leaks. The weather continues to remain rough, which is hampering attempts at salvage efforts and site visits. By Jan. 6 the weather was calmer and salvage crews had stabilized the drilling rig. As a result the Aiviq, connected by tow, was able to successfully refloat the Kulluk and began towing it to Kliuda Bay, 30 n.m. away. During the early morning hours of Jan. 7 the Kulluk safely arrived in Kilida Bay and was anchored to its safe harbor assessment position where a thorough evaluation of its condition will be evaluated prior to continuing on to Seattle.
TX Petroleum Investment. Co, Breton Sound, LA Gulf of Mexico
On December 26, 2012, 1130am/CST, the USCG requested a NOAA trajectory for a 1BBL (42 gallons)crude oil discharge into Breton Sound on the east side of the Mississippi River Delta. The discharge was due to a power failure and trouble with a compressor during restart.
M/T STENA PRIMORSK, Albany, NY
The SSC was notified by Sector NY of the grounding of the 800 foot M/T Stena Primorsk south of Albany, NY. At this time there is no oil being released. The ballast tank has been breached. No request for any additional actions from NOAA at this time.
MODU in Distress, 14nm Offshore, LA
On 17DEC12, MSU Morgan City contact NOAA for scientific support relating to a potential release of 1,000 gl of marine diesel from a MODU in distress. The vessel is located 14nm offshore, west of Marsh Island, in Vermillion Block 65. USCG is working salvage issues as well as marine pollution. USCG is seeking a trajectory and fate analysis if all diesel were released.
Chloride Solution, Jackson, AL
At 0830 Central Time, 11NOV12, a 0.10% Chloride solution began leaking from a valve in piping coming off a 110,000 gallon tank which was about 80% full (88,000 gallons of solution). As of 1300, the tank had leaked about 4,000 gallons. The area around the tank has been evacuated and responders are spraying the area with fires hoses to knock down fumes. All solution is contained within containment berm and is being further diluted by the addition of water from fire hoses. The location is at a paper factory in Jackson, Alabama. USCG is seeking information about air hazards and recommendations for evacuations.
Oiled Wildlife, St Lawrence Island, Alaska
The NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator in Alaska was notified by Coast Guard Sector Anchorage on the morning of 7 November 2012 that subsistence hunters in Savoonga and Gamble on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, found oiled birds and an oiled seal. The initial NOAA report suggested that the source of the oil was a sunken Russian vessel located in Russian waters. This now appears highly speculative, and no oil sheens have been reported and no source has been identified. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service have both been notified.