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The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) of a 31-foot pleasure craft stranded on a riprap shoreline at Point Chauncey in San Francisco Bay. The USCG is concerned the vessel may break up before it can be salvaged. The owner reported there were approximately 20 gallons of fuel on board. Fuel capacity is 80 gallons. The type of fuel is suspected to be diesel, but that has not been confirmed. No additional support requested at this time.

On February 2, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) regarding a red sheen coming from five bait pens moored off the Hyde St. Pier in San Francisco Bay, California. The material resembled red dye diesel, but had no discernable odor and appeared to be coming from the bait pens. The bait fish appeared to be live, active, and unaffected. A biological source is suspected.

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Mid-day on March 15, 2025, USCG Sector San Francisco's Incident Management Division contacted their NOAA SSC regarding a possible oil sighting off of Stinson Beach, California. Initial reports from Stinson Beach Fire Department indicated “black blotches breaking up in the water.” The fire department was not able to get within 500 yards of the material, but did not smell any petroleum product. They chose to make a report to the National Response Center (NRC) in an abundance of caution. USCG then requested input on a possible pollution event. Photos were provided. Further investigation revealed that the source was biogenic—masses of small jellyfish-like creatures, Vellela velella, commonly known as “by-the-wind” sailors—and not a pollutant. The USCG stood down operations on the case, with no further requests for OR&R support.

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On August 29, 2022, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted the NOAA SSC regarding an algae bloom in San Francisco Bay that has recently been attracting media attention. The current bloom that has been developing for a few weeks has caused fish kills and rust/tea colored water and Sector has seen an increase in reports from the public concerned about discolored water. The algae has been identified as a Heterosigma species, commonly known to cause “red tides”. USCG requested amplifying information on this recent bloom as they continue to respond to reports from the public and assess their response posture.

On the morning of 06-APR-2022, NMFS Stranding Coordinator in CA contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a 40-foot-long gray whale carcass in San Francisco Bay, CA. NMFS requested a carcass drift estimate to aid in determining how far offshore to tow the carcass so it does not re-beach in the upcoming days.

In the evening of 21-MAY-2021, NMFS Stranding Coordinator staff contacted the NOAA SSC for CA regarding a 40’ whale carcass at Linda Mar Beach, Pacifica, CA. The carcass is likely to be towed offshore sometime early on 23-MAY-2021. NMFS requested a carcass drift estimate to aid in determining how far offshore to tow the carcasses so they do not re-beach in the upcoming days.

In the afternoon of 04-MAY-2021, NMFS Stranding Coordinator in CA contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a 30’ gray whale carcass in San Francisco Bay, CA. The carcass is likely to be towed offshore late afternoon/evening of 05-MAY-2021. NMFS requested a carcass drift estimate to aid in determining how far offshore to tow the carcass so it does not re-beach in the upcoming days.

At roughly 1500 hrs on 09-FEB-2021, there was a reported release of “intermediate bunker fuel” from a pipeline along the Richmond Long Wharf at the Chevron Refinery. The NRC report (No. 1297669) indicated an estimated release rate of 5 gallons/minute. USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to request trajectory support while Sector pollution response personnel are en route and a USCG overflight is being requested. In the meantime, local news helicopter video footage at roughly 1700 hrs appeared to show no active release, but did show light winds and oil & sheen close to shore just south of the wharf.

On Wednesday, 27-JAN-2021, a member of the public observed Styrofoam pieces scattered along the shoreline near Fort Funston, just south of Ocean Beach in San Francisco, and reported it to the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS). GFNMS staff then contacted NOAA OR&R to inquire whether the foam may have been related to two recent shipping container losses north of the Hawaiian Islands or to containers lost in the general vicinity back in December 2015.

On the evening of 13-Mar-2020, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted NOAA’s Emergency Response Division about the grounded F/V SCOMAS. The vessel went aground at Black Sands Beach (west of Point Diablo near the SF Bay entrance) the previous day. USCG is concerned that the vessel will break up in upcoming wind/wave conditions and is requesting a trajectory for a potential release of 600 gallons of diesel.

On December 19, 2019, the 52' F/V MANDY JANE was the subject of a search & rescue operation and sank about 12 NM WSW of the Golden Gate Bridge (37° 44.35N, 122° 43.08 W). USCG Sector San Francisco contacted the NOAA SSC to request oil fate & trajectory support.

On 15-MAY-2019, NMFS Stranding Network staff contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a 40’ gray whale carcass that had washed ashore near Pacifica, CA the day before. No field necropsy is anticipated, so the carcass may be towed offshore on 15 or 16-MAY. NMFS requested a carcass drift estimate to aid in determining how far offshore to tow the carcass so it does not re-beach in the upcoming days.

In the evening of 16-APR-2019, NMFS Stranding Network staff contacted their NOAA SSC regarding a gray whale carcass that had washed ashore near Pacifica, CA. A field necropsy is scheduled for 17-APR-2019, after which the carcass would be towed offshore. NMFS requested a carcass drift estimate to aid in determining how far offshore to tow the carcass so it does not re-beach in the upcoming days.

On May 29, 2018, the USCG Sector San Francisco notified ERD's Oceanographer On Duty of a sunken fishing vessel 9 miles SW of the Golden Gate Bridge (37 45.6 N, 122 38.2 W). The vessel's closest point of land is Ocean Beach at 6.5 miles to the west. The estimated maximum potential discharge is 400 g of diesel. A description of the product's fate is requested.

On the afternoon of 14-NOV-2017, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC about a floating drum with unknown contents reported near Angel Island in San Francisco Bay. Sector San Francisco requested a drift estimate to assist their small boat crew in trying to re-locate the floating drum.

On the morning of 12-NOV-2017, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to relay a report of a mystery sheen in San Francisco Bay. Reported by a barge worker at 0711 hrs, the sheen was described as being 100’ by 2 miles and smelling of diesel fuel. USCG requested trajectory support.

On September 22, 2017, the USCG Sector San Francisco contacted NOAA ERD to request assistance with re-locating some empty shipping containers lost overboard from the M/V Mol Maxim. The ship was docked in the Port of Oakland’s Outer Harbor area on the afternoon of 21-SEP-2017 when eleven 40’ shipping containers were lost overboard. All containers were empty, closed and non-refrigerated. The USCG has requested a drift estimate to assist with relocation efforts. No pollution concern has been identified.

On April 7, 2017, the USCG Sector San Francisco contacted the NOAA SSC to report that a 112’ x 52’ deck barge and crane had capsized and sunk around midnight, just east of Yerba Buena Island in San Francisco Bay. The barge and crane reportedly had roughly 4,000 gallons of diesel and 300 gallons of hydraulic fluid on-board at the time of sinking. The crane and barge had been working on the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) subway tube under the Bay prior to the sinking, but BART officials have reported no known damage to the BART transit system. Sector San Francisco requested oil fate & trajectory support.

On May 20, 2016, the USCG Sector San Francisco contacted NOAA ERD to report that the 575-foot bulk carrier, the M/V UTRA LASCAR lost propulsion while inbound transiting toward San Francisco Bay. The vessel is reported to be carrying 3960 bbl of fuel oil. The bulk cargo is salt. Trajectory support was requested in the event of grounding and fuel release, but the vessel was able to anchor and tugs arrived to provide assistance.

On May 8, 2016, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted the SSC to relay two separate (but nearby) sheen reports offshore of Bolinas CA. The first sheen report from a charter fishing vessel was of a 1 mile x 100 yd rainbow sheen at 0930 hrs, but no orientation description. The second report from the Tug Arthur Brusco was of a N/S oriented sheen approximately 12 NM from the earlier report and within the vessel Traffic Separation Scheme outside the entrance to San Francisco Bay. USCG requested a hindcast trajectory to determine if the two sheen reports might be related and to narrow down the potential source(s).

On May 4, 2016, USCG Sector San Francisco called the NOAA SSC reporting a barrel floating high in the water within San Francisco Bay between Yerba Buena Island and the Port of Oakland. Sector requested trajectory support to assist in recovery operations. Barrel contents unknown.

On December 14, 2015, the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator for California was notified by USCG of containers lost from the Matson Container Ship MANOA. On Friday, December 11, the MANOA departed the Port of Oakland bound for Seattle. While maneuvering to disembark the San Francisco based pilot, the vessel rolled in rough seas and 12 containers were believed lost overboard about 8 miles outside the Golden Gate. At least one container has washed ashore and broken open. The USCG requested NOAA assistance in tracking the remaining containers.

On May 8, 2015, the USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to request trajectory support for a possible oil spill along the Port of Oakland shoreline observed by a local news helicopter. The news helicopter reported (and photographed) a dark streak of material trailing from the container ship M/V RIO DE JANIERO EXPRESS.

On January 16, 2015, the USCG Sector San Francisco notified the NOAA SSC of a bird stranding event along the Eastern shore of San Francisco Bay (between San Mateo Bridge and Alameda’s Robert Crown Regional Park). Initial reports suggested that affected birds may be oiled, but later reports and feather analyses determined that the substance was a non-petroleum substance.

On December 2, 1014, the USCG Sector San Francisco responded to a report of a floating drum in the waters just East of Treasure Island. Nearly 24-hours later, Sector San Francisco responded to yet another report of a floating drum in the waters just East of Yerba Buena Island, less than 1.5 NM to the south of the first drum. Given the similar location of both empty black polyethylene drums and given the recent heavy weather moving through the San Francisco Bay area, Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to request trajectory support in identifying a potential source area(s) for the two (and possibly future) drums.

On the morning of December 11, 1952, the diesel-powered general cargo ship M/V FERNSTREAM sank approximately 1 NM East of the Gold Gate Bridge after being involved in a collision with the SS HAWAIIAN RANCHER. At the time, she was headed to Manila, Philippines and loaded with 3,000 tons of soybeans, general cargo and an estimated 12,500-19,000 bbls of diesel fuel. The FERNSTREAM is one of four potentially polluting shipwrecks described in NOAA’s RULET (Remediation of Underwater Legacy Environmental Threats) risk assessments for the waters off California (USCG District 11). Because it is not yet clear whether substantial amounts of the ship’s bunkers may remain aboard the FERNSTREAM, a USCG Sector San Francisco-led Taskforce is considering the potential pollution risks of the ship based on initially available data and subsequent investigative efforts. This Hotline has been created primarily as an archive for NOAA’s support of the Taskforce activities.

On October 30, 2009, NOAA ERD was notified of a bunkering (fueling) accident in San Francisco Bay from the DUBAI STAR, a Panamanian flagged tank ship. The incident occurred at 7:00 AM local time at San Francisco Bay Anchorage #9. An unknown amount of heavy fuel oil was released and a 1-mile long rainbow sheen was reported in the water. NOAA ERD has been requested to provide scientific support including spill trajectory modeling.

In the early afternoon of 17AUG2009, CA's Office of Spill Prevention & Response personnel notified the regional NOAA SSC of a diesel & waste oil release from a partially-sunken tugboat on the East side of Treasure Island in Central San Francisco Bay, CA causing an initial sheen of 200’x200’. No NOAA support was requested. By mid-afternoon, the vessel was surrounded by containment boom, no more sheen had been observed outside the boom and plans were being prepared to raise the vessel and remove the remaining fuel. The vessel’s maximum capacity was estimated at 10,000 gallons though on-scene observations indicated that she was probably carrying far less than that and 100-500 gallons may have been released. Sector San Francisco then contacted the NOAA SSC on 18AUG2009 stating that the vessel was continuing to release sheen and requested estimates of oil fate and extent.

On the morning of 17JUN2008, an unknown sheen was reported on the beach of Robert Crown Memorial Beach, a bayfront park in Alameda, CA. Subsequent inspection by USCG and CA OSPR field staff revealed dime to quarter-sized, sheening tarballs along a mile of shoreline. Sector San Francisco notified the NOAA SSC shortly after 1700hrs and requested a NOAA hindcast trajectory to narrow down the potential sources for sampling.

The container ship M/V Cosco Busan struck the Bay Bridge in San Francisco Bay, CA at 08:30 PST 7NOV07. An approximate 100' gash in the hull of the vessel resulted, and 58,000 gal of fuel oil (IFO 380) was released into the water. An Incident Command Post is located at Treasure Island, on-water cleanup activities have largely concluded, shoreline assessment teams continue to survey oiling conditions, and shoreline cleanup is well underway across the affected area. Many oiled and closed beaches have been cleaned and re-opened.

missing F/V; investigation; Verbal

F/V sink; investigation; where it is; Verbal

On Tuesday, June 10, a diver discovered a 1940's era torpedo off the fuel pier in Pillar Point Harbor, CA. Navy EOD (Explosive Ordnance Demolition) divers confirmed it to be a potentially live torpedo carrying up to 494 pounds of TNT. As public safety emergency, the US Navy EOD team planned to move the torpedo to a site in 95 ft. of water approximately 4 miles west of Point San Pedro for underwater detonation.

At about 1600, 18 April NOAA Hazmat was notified by MSO San Francisco of a release of potassium permanganate solution in the vicinity of the Navy Drydocks at Hunters Point, south of San Francisco. Reports were of a 150 x 15 ft bright purple plume in the water. The chemical is being injected into the ground as part of a Superfund remediation project in an area 800 to 1000 ft away from the water. It is suspected to have leached from this site. USCG district 11.

A Coast Guard flight notified MSO San Francisco of oil offshore, source unknown. SSC was contacted today and conducted an overflight. Oil was located offshore about 10 miles northwest of Point San Pedro. There were streamers of black oil, mousse and associated sheen. The CG has decided the oil is collectable and has contracted for cleanup. An incident command has been established. First light overflights are expected tomorrow. NOAA HAZMAT will continue to provide support as needed. USCG district 11.

On September 28, 1998, a USCG overflight identified an oil slick approximately 10 nm offshore San Francisco Bay northwest of Point San Pedro. The mystery slick (later identified as the result of a faulty fuel transfer aboard the T/V Command) contained streamers of black oil, mousse, and sheens. On September 29 NOAA sent a team on-scene. By October 2 very little recoverable oil or tarballs were seen during the overflight and the FOSC released the NOAA team. Tarballs had impacted Pillar Point, Pomponio Beach, Air Force Beach, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, and San Gregorio Beach and cleanup crews had been dispatched to continue the cleanup. Impacts to Wildlife: Impacts to wildlife, especially birds were reported by the International Bird Rescue and Research Center. They reported that Common Murres (52 live/ 36 dead), Glaucous-winged Western Gull Hybrid (1/0), Greater White-fronted Goose (1/0), Shearwater (2/2), Western Gull (4/2) and dead were Common Loon (1), Sooty Shearwater (1), Western Grebe (1), Brown Pelican (2), Brandt's Cormorant (1), Cormorant (1), Eared Grebe (2), California Gull (1) had been recovered. USCG district 11. Keyword: none.

During bunkering operations in Anchorage #9, South San Francisco Bay, the Tank Ship COMMAND discovered a fracture along the starboard fuel tank. An estimated 10 bbl IBF 380 was released. The leak was secured and the fuel transferred from that tank. MSO San Francisco has requested trajectory information. An 1650 overflight showed no recoverable oil. First light overflights will be conducted to determine the extent of any remaining oil. Investigations into the cause of the spill are continuing. NOAA SSC is on scene to provide any assistance. USCG district 17. Keyword: The location of spill was at 37? 45' 58.7" N by 122? 20' 54.4" W..

At about 1530, October 28, 1996, the M/V Cape Mohican, a 725-foot Maritime Administration (MORAD) vessel, discharged an estimated 1,950 barrels (about 81,000 gallons) of IFO 180. The discharge occurred while the vessel was in Drydock #2 of the San Francisco Drydock Shipyard at pier 70, San Francisco Bay. Most of the oil was retained within the drydock, with an estimated 200 barrels (about 8,000 gallons) released into the waters of San Francisco Bay. The discharge is believed to have resulted from transfer from a stabilization tank, where an open valve discharged stored fuel through a seachest. Weather at the time of release was winds south-southwest at about 14 knots and getting dark. The weather changed soon after, with winds increasing up to 25-knot gusts and heavy rain. USCG district 11. Keyword: containment boom.