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 176 to 200 of 319 records for IncidentNews
- IncidentNews
M/V ULTRA LASCAR; Outside San Francisco Bay, CA
oil · ID 9280 · 37.669, -122.575
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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.
- IncidentNews
Sheen Reports; off Bolinas, CA
oil · ID 9275 · 37.868, -122.694
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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).
- IncidentNews
Floating barrel; San Francisco Bay, CA
chemical · ID 9271 · 37.811, -122.353
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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.
- IncidentNews
Drifting S/V KENTUCKY WOMAN; Off Point Año Nuevo, CA
other · ID 9270 · 37.090, -123.050
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On 25-APR-2016, the S/V KENTUCKY WOMAN was reportedly taking on water 50 NM SW of the entrance to San Francisco Bay and called the USCG for assistance. The crew was rescued via USCG helicopter and the vessel was left to drift. The Monterey Bay NMS contacted the NOAA SSC requesting trajectory support to assist in locating the vessel before it sank or became grounded in the Sanctuary.
- IncidentNews
Abandoned cannery site; McAbee Beach, Monterey, CA
oil · ID 9242 · 36.615, -121.899
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On February 11, 2016, a small amount of black oil was observed leaching out of an abandoned concrete foundation into the upper intertidal along the Cannery Row shoreline in downtown Monterey, CA. Source is suspected to be an abandoned tank. Excavation of the upland site is likely to occur in the near future once tides and local storm conditions diminish.
- IncidentNews
Tarballs; Point Lobos, CA
oil · ID 9214 · 36.517, -121.950
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On the afternoon of 08-JAN-2016, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted the regional NOAA SSC to request a hindcast for tarballs that had come ashore at Point Lobos, just south of Carmel, CA. . Due to recent heavy weather in the area, USCG will have some tarballs analyzed and have requested hindcast trajectory support to help determine a likely source.
- IncidentNews
Oiled birds; Monterey Bay, CA
oil · ID 9213 · 36.810, -121.940
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On the afternoon of 05-JAN-2016, California’s Office of Spill Prevention & Response (OSPR) contacted their regional NOAA SSC indicating that chemical analyses of oiled bird samples collected in December 2015 were consistent with oil from the shipwreck SS Jacob Luckenbach. The Luckenbach had sunk in 1953, was a source of mystery spills for decades, and was the site of an underwater oil removal operation in 2002
- IncidentNews
Containers lost from M/V Manoa; 8 miles off Golden Gate, CA
other · ID 9206 · 37.720, -122.650
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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.
- IncidentNews
Manhattan Beach Incident; Los Angeles, CA
oil · ID 8939 · 33.885, -118.413
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On May 27, 2015, a National Response Center (NRC) report was generated regarding oil observations on Manhattan Beach, CA. Hindcast trajectory has been requested and analysis will begin to determine to if the incident is related to the Refugio Incident, Santa Barbara CA spill.
- IncidentNews
Refugio Incident; Santa Barbara, CA
oil · ID 8934 · 34.462, -120.087
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On May 19, 2015 the NOAA was notified of a 24-inch pipeline rupture that occurred earlier today near Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara County, CA. An estimated 500 barrels (21,000 gallons) of crude oil was released on the shoreside of Hwy 101 which then flowed into the Pacific Ocean. The source has since been secured. USCG personnel estimated the size of the sheen to be 3.5 NM along the beach and 50-100 yards into the water. Oil Spill Recovery Organizations are on-scene to conduct cleanup operations. California Department of Fish and Wildlife has ordered beach closures. The US Coast Guard has stood up Incident Management Team and is conducting overflights. NOAA has been requested to provide fate and effects of the crude oil and Resources at Risk information.
- IncidentNews
M/V Rio de Janiero Express; Oakland, CA
oil · ID 8928 · 37.815, -122.317
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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.
- IncidentNews
Shell refinery; Martinez, CA
oil · ID 8879 · 38.032, -122.130
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On February 10, 2015, the Shell refinery in Martinez, CA reported a spill of crude oil from a line undergoing hydrostatic testing. The release occurred near the seaward end of the Shell pier, where fixed containment boom is maintained. Response contractors were on-scene before sunset and applied additional containment boom and deployed skimmers. USCG Sector San Francisco requested trajectory support.
- IncidentNews
Vapor cloud; Off Oceanside, CA
other · ID 8874 · 33.144, -117.754
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On January 28, 2015, USCG Sector San Diego contacted their NOAA SSC to report an unidentified vapor cloud 14 miles offshore of Oceanside, CA. USCG aircrew noticed a pungent or chemical-like odor in the area. USCG requested NOAA assistance in determining what the substance might be and its potential trajectory.
- IncidentNews
Possible mystery spill; East San Francisco Bay, CA
other · ID 8869 · 37.751, -122.279
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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.
- IncidentNews
Floating drums; San Francisco Bay, CA
chemical · ID 8855 · 37.831, -122.353
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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.
- IncidentNews
M/V Pine Galaxy; Off Cape Mendocino, CA
other · ID 8806 · 38.202, -124.890
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On 13-August-2014, the 480' chemical tanker M/V PINE GALAXY carrying propylene tetramer reported an engine room fire while approximately 700NM WNW of Cape Mendocino, CA. The fire disabled the vessel but no oils or chemicals were released. The M/V PINE GALAXY was taken under tow for inspection and repairs in San Francisco Bay. The USCG requested weather forecast info in support of the towing operations and for the at-sea boarding planned by USCG personnel prior to entering the Golden Gate.
- IncidentNews
Sunken barge NASH; Off Point Conception, CA
oil · ID 8771 · 34.460, -120.533
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On June 8, 2014, the USCG Marine Safety Detachment (MSD) Santa Barbara notified the NOAA SSC of the sunken barge NASH. The barge, loaded with 3,900 MT of liquid magnesium chloride, partially sank while under tow approximately 3 NM West of Point Conception, CA. The barge also contained oils and fuels associated with the barge’s machinery.
- IncidentNews
Whale carcass; Pillar Point Harbor, CA
other · ID 8765 · 37.493, -122.494
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On May 23, 2014, the NMFS Stranding Coordinator contacted ERD to request a drift estimate for a 22 foot Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) carcass that had washed up at the entrance to Pillar Point Harbor, CA.
- IncidentNews
Beached Whale Carcass; San Diego, Ca.
other · ID 8763 · 32.670, -117.246
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On May 21, 2014, the National Marine Fisheries Service contacted the Emergency Response Division with request for trajectory support for a stranded whale carcass
- IncidentNews
S/V Chelsea adrift; South of Point Sur, CA
other · ID 8725 · 36.150, -121.871
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On February 18, 2014, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary staff contacted their SSC to request a drift estimate of an unmanned, 32 foot sailboat drifting 7 NM offshore and 9.5 NM South of Point Sur, CA. The occupants were safety rescued by the USCG. Plannining is on-going to locate and recover the vessel.
- IncidentNews
Tarball event; Montara, CA
oil · ID 8723 · 37.554, -122.514
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On February 10, 2014, the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary notified the NOAA SSC of an unusual tarball event on Montara State Beach and in Half Moon Bay but it is unknown whether the event affected a larger stretch of coastline. No oiled wildlife were seen. Hotline was created to capture and share event information.
- IncidentNews
JO MARIE; Brookings, OR
oil · ID 8716 · 42.045, -124.270
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On January 21, 2014, the USCG Sector Columbia River contacted the SSC regarding a potential diesel release. The F/V JO MARIE hit the south jetty of Brookings, OR on 20 Jan at around 9:30pm - all on board were rescued. The vessel is now sunk in ~30 feet of water, and is partially blocking the Brookings channel. There is a potential of 3000 gallons of diesel aboard, and there are small amounts of oil seen at the surface. USCG has requested a hypothetical worst case discharge, weather and tides.
- IncidentNews
Empty Life Raft Adrift; Off Central Coast, CA
other · ID 8703 · 36.342, -122.018
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On December 16, 2013, the M/V TRIUMPHANT reported the inadvertent loss of a 100-person life raft overboard. The raft automatically inflated and deployed a drogue anchor at the initial release location, approximately 6NM WNW of Point Sur, CA. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary requested a drift estimate of the raft to assist in recovering the life raft before it sinks or causes shoreline or other impacts.
- IncidentNews
Mystery sheen; 10 miles SE of San Clemente Island, CA
oil · ID 8673 · 32.773, -118.185
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At 1800 PDT on 16 Oct 2013, USCG contacted NOAA Emergency Response Division about a mystery sheen reported at 1630 PDT. The description was 1 mile by 100 yards with patches of black and brown oil.
- IncidentNews
M/V Fernstream wreck project; San Francisco Bay, CA
oil · ID 8661 · 37.820, -122.459
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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.
Ordered by the date each record reports, newest first, 25 per page. Dates are California local time.
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