Incident Archive
The complete set of public incident records Tarline collects for the California coast, from four independent sources: NOAA IncidentNews case pages, raw National Response Center caller reports, satellite oil-signature detections, and California Spill Watch response notices. Search the text, narrow to one source, and page through the whole history.
Every row here is a source report, not a confirmed release. National Response Center entries in particular are self-reported by callers with no agency verification step, satellite detections are possible signatures rather than sampled oil, and a report saying nothing about a beach is not evidence that the beach was clean. Follow the link on a row and read the original record before citing it.
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Records
Showing 76 to 100 of 319 records for IncidentNews
- IncidentNews
Satellite-Detected Anomaly Northwest of Point Reyes, CA
oil · ID 10434 · 38.269, -123.967
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In the early morning hours of 29-MAR-2022, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC regarding a NESDIS Marine Pollution Surveillance Report (MPSR) that was issued at 2319 hrs on 28-MAR-2022. The center of the long, narrow anomaly was located roughly 78 nm NW of San Francisco with the portions closest to shore being roughly 18 nm NW of Point Reyes. USCG intends to deploy a first light overflight on the morning of 29-MAR and requested an estimated search area based on likely drift.
- IncidentNews
Sailing Vessel Sunk Off Santa Cruz, CA
other · ID 10432 · 36.935, -122.053
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On the evening of 22-MAR-2022, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary staff contacted their SSC regarding a sailing vessel that had sunk off Santa Cruz, CA the prior evening. The last known position was roughly one mile south of Terrace Point. No fuel is expected on board, so the Sanctuary requested a drift estimate of the S/V as it sunk to assist the owner in relocating & removing it.
- IncidentNews
Diesel release - offshore Bodega Bay, CA;
oil · ID 10425 · 38.340, -123.131
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Om March 8, 2022, NOAA received a request from USCG Sector San Francisco for trajectory and fate information for a release of a maximum volume of 200 gallons of diesel fuel from a sunken crab fishing vessel approximately 3 nm offshore of Bodega Bay (Salmon Creek). The reported latitude/longitude is 38° 20.258N, 123° 07.727 W.
- IncidentNews
Tarballs off Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach, CA
oil · ID 10401 · 33.683, -118.062
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On December 22, 2021, the USCG Sector LA/Long Beach contacted their NOAA SSC regarding a report of sheen and tarballs offshore of Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Initial USCG overflight info indicates two small areas of rainbow sheen roughly 150’ by 100’ and by 200’, while on-water (vessel-based) observations described some tarballs amongst the sheen. USCG has requested trajectory support.
- IncidentNews
Transient Vessel Sinking at West Basin, Long Beach, CA
oil · ID 10395 · 33.751, -118.233
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On 15-Dec-2021, a 44-ft transient vessel was found to be sinking and was towed to Pier 10, West Basin, Long Beach. The vessel is at risk of sinking at the dock with a potential of 500 gallons of diesel onboard. Sector LA/LB is requesting a fates analysis and trajectory for the next few days to determine potential environmental risk.
- IncidentNews
Black Oil Slick; Huntington Beach, CA
oil · ID 10396 · 33.686, -118.052
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On 15-Dec-2021, Sector LA-Longbeach received a report of a black oil slick 30 feet by 90 feet in Huntington Beach near Bolsa Chica. They have requested a trajectory.
- IncidentNews
61-ft Paddleboat Sinking, Long Beach, CA
oil · ID 10394 · 33.755, -118.159
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On 15-DEC-2021, the Newport Princess, a 61-ft paddleboat, was observed sitting very low in the water and potentially sinking. The paddleboat is very near to the shoreline and has approximately 100 gallons of diesel onboard. Sector LA/LB is requesting a trajectory and fates analysis and a 3-day weather forecast for the location.
- IncidentNews
Sheen near Platform Holly; Santa Barbara, CA
oil · ID 10392 · 34.389, -119.906
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On the morning of 11-DEC-2021, USCG Marine Safety Detachment (MSD) Santa Barbara contacted their NOAA SSC regarding a sheen report near Platform Holly. On 10-DEC-2021, a member of the public took uncrewed aerial system (UAS aka “drone”) photos of sheen which were picked up by local media. Coal Oil Point seeps are among the most active natural seep areas in the world, releasing an estimated 6,500-7,000 gallons/day of oil. Platform Holly and other nearby platforms have been shut-in since the Refugio pipeline spill in 2015 and Holly is undergoing decommissioning by the State of CA. Decommissioning crews report no releases from the platform. A first light overflight by USCG observed a large, crescent-shaped area of sheen (4 miles east/west by 2 miles north/south). MSD Santa Barbara requested an oil fate & transport estimate.
- IncidentNews
Pipeline Spill Huntington Beach, CA; United States
oil · ID 10361 · 33.638, -118.087
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At 0840 hrs on 02-OCT-2021, USCG Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach contacted their NOAA SSC regarding a spill report. NRC Report No. 1318437 described an unknown sheen in the water at 1813 hrs local time on 01-OCT. Roughly 45 minutes later, a SENTINEL 1-A satellite image was obtained that became the basis for a NESDIS Marine Pollution Surveillance Report (MPSR) issued at 0015 hrs local (0815 UTC) on 02-OCT. USCG field teams investigating the reports in the morning, observed a large area of thick in the vicinity of the NRC and MPSR reports, black oil roughly 3.25 NM offshore and requested trajectory support.
- IncidentNews
F/V BARBARA MARIA spill; Spud Point Marina, Bodega Bay, CA
oil · ID 10355 · 38.329, -123.057
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Late morning on 16-SEP-2021, staff from the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary contacted their NOAA SSC to request a trajectory for a reported diesel spill in Bodega Harbor, CA. Further information obtained from USCG Sector San Francisco indicated that roughly 200-300 gallons of diesel fuel may have discharged from the F/V BARBARA MARIA during a tank-to-tank transfer late in the evening of 15-SEP-2021. Winds have been light & variable since early in the spill and USCG Sector San Francisco observed scattered sheen in other areas of Bodega Harbor. Oil fate & transport info was requested.
- IncidentNews
PC PERFECT CAST sunk off Point Reyes, CA
oil · ID 10351 · 37.858, -123.173
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On August 29, 2021, the USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to report the sinking of the PC PERFECT CAST about 13 NM southwest of Point Reyes. She was taking on water while under tow and reportedly sank around 1300 hrs. The vessel is believed to be carrying 280 gallons of diesel, but there are currently no reports of sheening. USCG requested trajectory support in the event of a release.
- IncidentNews
Fish Magnet Aground; Big Sur, CA
oil · ID 10337 · 36.253, -121.836
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On 18-Aug-2021, the 54' vessel FISH MAGNET ran aground in Monterey Bay. Approximately 1400 gallons of diesel on board. No sheen was observed at the time of grounding. The vessel is in the active surf zone. Sector San Francisco is requesting a fates analysis and trajectory.
- IncidentNews
P/C JI-ME II sunk; Inverness, CA 94937, USA
oil · ID 10329 · 38.206, -122.972
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On the afternoon of 03-AUG-2021, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC regarding a sunken 30' fiberglass pleasure craft JI-ME II. The vessel is reportedly carrying 200 gallons of diesel on board and was observed sheening near the surf zone, just north of Driftwood Beach on Tomales Point. USCG requested information on the likely fate of the diesel.
- IncidentNews
PC RELENTLESS sunk; off Carlsbad, CA
oil · ID 10318 · 33.117, -117.467
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On 15-JUL-2021, USCG Sector San Diego contacted their NOAA SSC regarding the sunken pleasure craft RELENTLESS that had caught fire and sank roughly 7 miles off Carlsbad, CA in roughly 1,600 feet of water. The vessel had a maximum capacity of 750 gallons diesel and some sheening had been observed from a USCG aircraft after the vessel sank. USCG requested information on oil fate & transport
- IncidentNews
PC GODFATHER sinking; off Seal Beach, CA
oil · ID 10320 · 33.725, -118.139
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On 15-JUL-2021, USCG Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach contacted their NOAA SSC regarding the 65’ pleasure craft GODFATHER that was partially sunk and drifting, roughly 1 mile off Seal Beach, CA. She is believed to be carrying roughly 500 gallons diesel on board, though no sheening has been observed, and is expected to make landfall in the vicinity of Seal Beach by 2100 hrs this evening. USCG requested a hypothetical “what if” trajectory under two scenarios: 1) if the vessel contacts shore and begins to leak, and 2) if it sinks while at anchor offshore where fuel offloading may be attempted.
- IncidentNews
Sheen report; Off Point Piedras Blancas, CA
oil · ID 10312 · 35.772, -121.467
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On the morning of 09-JUL-2021, a sailing vessel reported a large area of sheen roughly 4.5 miles offshore and 11 miles NW of Point Piedras Blancas. The reporting party indicated that it covered a large area, extending “beyond what the eye can see, it took 15 minutes to sail… through and it is a rainbow sheen with sludge in it.” (from NRC Report No. 1310177). USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to discuss the report, as natural oil seeps are known to be in the area. A USCG overflight was scheduled and Sector SF was interested if NOAA NESDIS might have suitable satellite imagery covering that area.
- IncidentNews
Possible sheen; off Point Loma, San Diego, CA
oil · ID 10300 · 32.585, -117.413
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On 20-JUN-2021, NOAA ERD began receiving media inquiries about a possible sheen report off San Diego. USCG Sector San Diego had received a report on 19-JUN-2021 (NRC Report No. 1308242) of a sheen approximately 10.5 nautical miles to the Southwest of Point Loma and the reporting party indicated that it had been present since Friday (18-JUN-2021). USCG conducted an overflight of the area and observed a 3 x 0.5 mile sheen, but did not request NOAA support. This Hotline is being opened to capture information on this report as it becomes available.
- IncidentNews
Whale carcass; Pacifica, CA
other · ID 10284 · 37.599, -122.503
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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.
- IncidentNews
M/V NYK DELPHINUS fire; Offshore Monterey Bay, CA
oil · ID 10281 · 36.377, -122.900
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On 14-MAY-2021, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to report a shipboard fire on the M/V NYK DELPHINUS, approximately 60 miles west of Monterey Bay, CA. At the time, the vessel was without propulsion and drifting. Marine fire fighting activities were underway and USCG was focused on search & rescue operations. No pollution has been reported, but it is unclear if fire fighting activities on board the ship were successful. USCG later requested a hypothetical trajectory estimate for roughly 800,000 gallons of mixed fuels in the event the incident devolves.
- IncidentNews
Fin whale carcasses; San Diego Bay, CA
other · ID 10277 · 32.672, -117.124
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In the morning of 09-MAY-2021, NMFS Stranding Coordinator in CA contacted the NOAA SSC for CA regarding two fin whale carcasses in San Diego Bay, CA. Both carcasses are likely to be towed offshore late afternoon of either 10 or 11-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.
- IncidentNews
Gray whale carcass, San Francisco Bay, CA
other · ID 10276 · 37.845, -122.395
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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.
- IncidentNews
Gray whale carcass; Pebble Beach, CA
other · ID 10263 · 36.562, -121.943
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In the evening of 12-APR-2021, NMFS Stranding Coordinator in CA contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a beached 30’ gray whale in the vicinity of the Pebble Beach, CA. The carcass is likely to be towed offshore late on 13-APR or early on 14-APR-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.
- IncidentNews
Gray whale carcass; Dockweiler Beach, Venice, CA
other · ID 10252 · 33.926, -118.438
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Late afternoon on 17-MAR-2021, NMFS Stranding Coordinator in CA contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a 30’ gray whale in poor health and in the process of stranding on Dockweiler Beach near LAX airport. The whale died overnight and the carcass may be towed offshore early afternoon today (18-MAR-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.
- IncidentNews
Tug Boat and Towed Fishing Vessel Adrift, Bodega Bay, CA
oil · ID 10248 · 38.282, -122.994
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In the evening of 05-MAR-2021, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC regarding a tug boat & towed fishing vessel drifting towards shore off Bodega Bay, CA. During transit from WA State, the Tug HUNTER was towing the F/V AMERICAN CHALLENGER when there was a loss of propulsion and both vessels started drifting to the NNE. At the time of the report, the Tug HUNTER had deployed their anchor, but it had not yet caught bottom. USCG indicated that the primary pollution concern was from the Tug HUNTER, reportedly carrying 26,000 gallons diesel and 1,100 gallons. USCG requested a hypothetical trajectory estimate in the event of a grounding/spill to inform field investigations the following morning. The tug was able to anchor and was later towed to port but the fishing vessel grounded on rocks in a remote area south of Estero de San Antonio. A response effort is underway.
- IncidentNews
Disabled S/V Plan B Adrift; 31 NM off Monterey, CA
other · ID 10239 · 36.535, -122.600
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On 25-FEB-2021, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary staff contacted their NOAA SSC to request a drift estimate for a disabled/dismasted 30’ sailing vessel PLAN B for potential relocation/recovery. The vessel was the subject of a USCG search & rescue activity on the previous afternoon and was too low in the water for effective towing operations at that time. The vessel’s last known position was roughly 31 nautical miles West of Monterey, CA. No known pollution threat.
Ordered by the date each record reports, newest first, 25 per page. Dates are California local time.
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