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 1,876 to 1,900 of 2,160 records for all sources
- Cal Spill Watch
Dunsmuir Historical Oil – Update #21
active response · ID http://calspillwatch.wordpress.com/?p=1702
- Cal Spill Watch
Dunsmuir Historical Oil – Update #20
active response · ID http://calspillwatch.wordpress.com/?p=1700
- NRC raw
raw report — unverified: Caller reporting a tractor trailer truck and trailer leaking diesel at the incident location. The material is reportedly leaking from a reef…
nrc report · ID 1473524
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Caller reporting a tractor trailer truck and trailer leaking diesel at the incident location. The material is reportedly leaking from a reefer trailer
No public page - IncidentNews
F/V THE JIG STRIKE Sunk; 100+ miles off San Diego, CA
oil · ID 10845 · 32.467, -119.200
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Mid-afternoon on 31-AUG-2024, USCG Sector San Diego contacted their NOAA SSC to request support for a vessel sunk roughly 100 miles west of Point Loma, San Diego, CA. All persons on board were rescued and the vessel was reportedly carrying 600 gallons of diesel when she we went down around 1400 hrs local time. Sector San Diego requested oil fate information.
- IncidentNews
Satellite Imagery Anomaly; off Malibu, CA
other · ID 10833 · 34.017, -118.663
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The morning of 06-AUG-2024, NOAA NESDIS issued a Marine Pollution Surveillance Report (MPSR) for possible oil identified by satellite imagery just offshore of Malibu, CA. Imagery was collected at 06-AUG 0150 UTC (05-AUG 1850 hrs Pacific) from a Sentinel 1A (synthetic aperture radar) satellite. USCG and Malibu lifeguards investigated. USCG helicopter overflight was delayed due to marine layer conditions. Vessels on water observed no oil, but helo observed some material in the water. Upon closer inspection by surface vessels, no oil was observed and all units returned to base.
- IncidentNews
Mystery Spill in Threemile Slough; Rio Vista, CA
oil · ID 10810 · 38.115, -121.684
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On 02-JUL-2024, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to report a gasoline spill in Threemile Slough near Rio Vista, CA. At the time of the call, USCG personnel were just arriving on-scene, so initial details were sketchy. Initial assumptions were that the pollutant was gasoline, the source was not secured, and it may be related to a permanently closed marina that had known fueling facilities. Initial maximum potential spill volume was estimated at 5,000 gallons. USCG requested initial fate & transport information to inform initial on-scene investigations and actions.
- NRC raw
raw report — unverified: /// potential discharge /// Caller reported a potential discharge of an unknown amount of an unknown oil from the incident location. Caller…
nrc report · ID 1423456
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/// potential discharge /// Caller reported a potential discharge of an unknown amount of an unknown oil from the incident location. Caller stated tanks at the site of an decommission oil well were left open. Caller stated an individual was hosing out the tanks and the tanks have been exposed to rain while left open.
No public page - IncidentNews
Two Sheens; East of San Clemente Island, CA
oil · ID 10800 · 32.917, -118.203
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Mid-afternoon on 09-JUN-2024, USCG Sector San Diego contacted their NOAA SSC to report two sheens observed just east of San Clemente Island by a USCG aircraft earlier in the day. One sheen was described as 1,000 feet x 1-1.5 miles, the other was described as roughly 4.5 miles long. No black oil was reported, but at least some rainbow sheen was observed. USCG will have a helicopter in the area tomorrow morning (10-JUN-2024) on a training flight and requested a possible search area.
- IncidentNews
Sheening M/V AURORA; Little Potato Slough, Stockton, CA
oil · ID 10805 · 38.057, -121.501
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On 22-MAY-2024, USCG Sector San Francisco began responding to the sunken M/V AURORA, a 65-year old, 293-ft decommissioned cruise ship in Little Potato Slough near Stockton, CA. The AURORA was discharging an unknown amount of oil into the San Joaquin River Delta, so Sector San Francisco opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and hired a salvage contractor to mitigate the pollution, while the City of Stockton closed a local drinking water intake.
- IncidentNews
Grounded F/V WESTERLY; Point Reyes, CA
oil · ID 10765 · 37.992, -122.981
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On March 28, 2024, the USCG Sector San Francisco notified their NOAA SSC of a potential pollution case involving the 39 foot, wooden hulled F/V WESTERLY grounded on Point Reyes near Drakes Bay. At the time of the call, search & rescue (SAR) operations were underway and the pollution potential was not known. An update call at 1545 hrs indicated the vessel was on the rocks, had a maximum potential of 400 gallons diesel on board and access to the site from both land and water was severely restricted due to terrain, rocky shoreline, and surf conditions. Due to high concern for the vessel breaking up before pollution could be properly mitigated, USCG requested oil fate & transport information to inform potential risks and timing to local sensitive areas.
- IncidentNews
Diesel Spill from U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alder; WNW of Fort Bragg, CA
oil · ID 10756 · 39.604, -124.360
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On March 15, 2024, USCG Sector Humboldt Bay contacted their NOAA SSC to request trajectory support for a 500-gallon diesel spill from the USCG Cutter ALDER earlier in the morning, roughly 30 miles WNW of Fort Bragg, CA. Oil fate & transport info was provided verbally by phone.
- IncidentNews
Sheen Report; off Huntington Beach, CA
oil · ID 10751 · 33.668, -118.075
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On the morning of 08-MAR-2024, USCG Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach contacted their NOAA SSC to request support for a 2.5 mile by 1.5 mile "sheen" about 2 miles off of Bolsa Chica wetlands. USCG requested trajectory support for potential impacts to local resources at risk.
- IncidentNews
Grounded Fishing Vessel Aleutian Storm; Bodega Bay, CA
oil · ID 10742 · 38.332, -123.070
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On February 10, 2024, the USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to report the grounding of the F/V ALEUTIAN STORM near Salmon Creek, just north of Bodega Bay, CA. The vessel was on the beach amidst the surf. No pollution was observed, but the vessel reportedly had 1,500 gallons of diesel on board. USCG sought oil fate & transport info in the event of a release prior to or during vessel salvage operations.
- IncidentNews
24 Lost Shipping Containers; offshore of Monterey, CA
other · ID 10740 · 36.283, -122.973
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On February 7, 2024, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to report the loss of 24 shipping containers from the M/V PRESIDENT EISENHOWER the night before, approximately 64 NM southwest of Monterey, CA. No hazardous materials were in any of the lost containers and it was not clear at the time of the report whether any containers were insulated/refrigerated. USCG ran their SAROPS (Search And Rescue Optimal Planning) model to provide an initial drift estimate, indicating downcoast movement. On the morning of 09-FEB-2024, USCG C-130 aircraft observed a shipping container to the southeast of the reported drop location, near the southern reaches of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). MBNMS staff contacted the SSC to request further trajectory information on the floating container to inform further Sanctuary decisions.
- IncidentNews
Tanker Truck Lube Oil Release; Port Hueneme, CA
oil · ID 10729 · 34.152, -119.207
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On 30-JAN-2024, a tanker truck hose burst while transferring lubricating oil to a ship docked at the Port Hueneme Navy Yard. This caused a discharge of roughly 30 gallons of lube oil onto the ground, of which 20 gallons reportedly entered the water. A cleanup contractor has been hired and containment boom and sorbent materials have been deployed. An informal request for use of surface washing agent (SWA) was made for the purpose of de-contaminating the ship’s hull prior to departure. USCG and California’s Office of Spill Prevention & Response (OSPR) requested NOAA SSC input and an incident-specific RRT request for SWA use is anticipated.
- IncidentNews
Gray whale carcass; Solana Beach, CA
other · ID 10728 · 32.990, -117.278
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On 30-JAN-2024, the NMFS Stranding Coordinator in CA contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a 35-foot-long gray whale carcass on Solano Beach, CA. The carcass will likely be towed offshore within 24 hours before high winds move into the area. 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
Stormwater Outfall Oil Discharge; Dominguez Channel, Long Beach, CA
oil · ID 10720 · 33.774, -118.248
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The morning of 21-JAN-2024, USCG Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach contacted their NOAA SSC regarding an inland spill of roughly 1,200 gallons crude oil/water mixture. This inland spill resulted in oil entering a stormwater drain which discharged to the mouth of Dominguez Channel (in the innermost portions of the Port of Long Beach). Oil sheens have been observed in the water, but containment boom appears to be effective. The USCG requested a trajectory and possible threats to the Cabrillo Wetlands (4+ miles down channel).
- IncidentNews
Fin Whale Carcass on Pacific Beach; San Diego, CA
other · ID 10706 · 32.795, -117.258
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On December 10, 2023, the NOAA NMFS Stranding Coordinator in CA contacted the NOAA SSC regarding a 50-foot-long fin whale carcass on Pacific Beach, San Diego, 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.
- IncidentNews
Tug MAZAPETA sunk; Little Potato Slough, Stockton, CA
oil · ID 10669 · 38.057, -121.501
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On the afternoon of 26-SEP-2023, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC for oil fate/transport support for an ongoing sunken vessel case in the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta. On 04-SEP, the Tug MAZAPETA sank to the bottom (partially submerged) in Little Potato Slough, a tributary of the Stockton Deep Water Channel. The owner estimated 1,000 gallons diesel and 600 gallons engine oil were on-board at the time of sinking. Sector San Francisco requested oil fate/transport information to assist in discussions with the City of Stockton and other key stakeholders
- IncidentNews
53-foot Motor Yacht Adrift Off Big Sur, CA
oil · ID 10658 · 36.028, -121.867
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Late Sunday night (27-AUG-2023), USCG Sector San Francisco contacted ERD’s Hazmat Duty Officer for notification purposes only of the 53’ Motor Yacht SERENITY then adrift. The SERENITY was the subject of a USCG search & rescue operation Sunday evening with an estimated 800 gallons diesel on-board. The incident occurred during heavy weather conditions (winds exceeding 20 knots from the NW and building to well over 30 knots) and all persons on board (POBs) were rescued. ERD provided support for possible drift estimates of the vessel to inform the vessel owner’s aerial search planned for Friday (01-SEP), in the event it is still afloat.
- IncidentNews
43-Foot Vessel Sunk near Bolsa Chica Wetlands, Huntington Beach, CA
oil · ID 10652 · 33.682, -118.042
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The evening of 17-AUG-2023, USCG Sector LA/Long Beach contacted their NOAA SSC to request support for a 43’ vessel sunk roughly 300 yds outside the entrance to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands, Huntington Beach, CA. At the time, the vessel was reportedly carrying 300 gallons diesel and it was not clear whether it was actively sheening or not. USCG requested trajectory support in the event of a catastrophic release overnight or during the morning hours.
- NRC raw
raw report — unverified: Caller reported a release of multiple unknown materials onto the harbor parking lot pavement. Caller believes the materials come from variou…
nrc report · ID 1432319
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Caller reported a release of multiple unknown materials onto the harbor parking lot pavement. Caller believes the materials come from various automobiles that park in the area but could not confirm. Release has been building up over time and no remedial action or maintenance has been taken. Although there is currently no visible sheen in the waterway, caller stated when raining the materials run off into the river and create a sheen.
No public page - IncidentNews
Twin Otter Airplane Crash, 35 Miles West of Pacifica, CA
oil · ID 10611 · 37.519, -123.118
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On the afternoon of 20-MAY-2023, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to discuss the pollution potential of a crashed Twin Otter aircraft that crashed roughly 40 miles WSW of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) with an estimated 1,000 gallons of Jet A fuel on board. Search & rescue operations are underway and USCG requested fuel fate information to consider potential pollution threats.
- IncidentNews
Partially Submerged Vessel off the Port of Los Angeles, CA
oil · ID 10582 · 33.665, -118.287
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On March 14, 2023, the USCG Sector LA/Long Beach contacted their NOAA SSC about a partially submerged 30-40’ vessel that is currently the subject of a USCG search & rescue operation. The vessel is currently adrift roughly 3.3 NM Southwest of the Angeles Gate entrance to the Port of Los Angeles. A ½ mile sheen has been observed around the vessel, but the vessel name, type, fuel type, and fuel capacity are unknown at this time. USCG requested trajectory support for an estimated maximum potential of 800 gallons of diesel fuel.
- IncidentNews
Fishing Vessel Sunk off Redondo Beach, CA
oil · ID 10567 · 33.846, -118.415
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On 09-FEB-2023, USCG Sector LA/LB contacted their NOAA SSC to request trajectory support for the 43’ sunken F/V MATADOR off Redondo Beach, CA. The vessel reportedly sank at 0200 hrs on 08-FEB, 1/3 mile offshore, in 170’ of water, with an estimated 50 gallons diesel on-board (max potential 150 gallons).
Ordered by the date each record reports, newest first, 25 per page. Dates are California local time.
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