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 1,976 to 2,000 of 2,160 records for all sources
- IncidentNews
Gray whale carcass; Pacifica, CA
other · ID 9901 · 37.598, -122.511
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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.
- IncidentNews
Gray whale carcass; Carlsbad, CA
other · ID 9902 · 33.155, -117.352
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The NMFS Stranding Coordinator for CA contacted the NOAA SSC to report a 25-30’ Gray whale carcass that had come ashore near Carlsbad, CA on 15-MAY-2019. No field necropsy is anticipated, so the carcass may be towed offshore on/about 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.
- IncidentNews
Gray whale carcass; Oxnard, CA
other · ID 9897 · 34.157, -119.227
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On 07-MAY-2019, NMFS Stranding Network Coordinator contacted their NOAA SSC regarding a gray whale carcass that had washed ashore near Channel Islands Harbor in Ventura County, 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
Gray whale carcass; Port of LA/Long Beach, CA
other · ID 9893 · 33.721, -118.218
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On April 29, 2019, the NMFS Stranding Network Coordinator contacted their NOAA SSC regarding a gray whale carcass that had washed ashore at the Port of LA/Long Beach. 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
M/V Never Say Never sunk; Off Ano Nuevo, CA
oil · ID 9886 · 37.070, -122.370
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On 19-APR-2019, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC regarding the 57’ sunken pleasure craft M/V Never Say Never that was involved in a search & rescue case the previous evening. USCG requested oil fate & transport information and staff from the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary requested potential vessel drift information.
- IncidentNews
Possible seep activity; Off Point Arguello, CA
oil · ID 9889 · 34.588, -120.741
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On 18-APR-2019, USCG Marine Safety Detachment (MSD) Santa Barbara contacted their NOAA SSC to discuss recent oil sheen observations NW of Santa Barbara Channel. USCG has requested potential remote sensing support. This Hotline is being created to capture remote sensing information, as needed.
- IncidentNews
Gray whale carcass; Pacifica, CA 94044, USA
other · ID 9885 · 37.649, -122.495
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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.
- IncidentNews
Tarballs Observed - Point Reyes National Seashore; Inverness, CA.
oil · ID 9843 · 38.122, -122.958
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On January 23, 2019, the USCG District 11 notified OR&R of reported mystery tarballs at two locations on the Point Reyes National Seashore that washed up following a storm.
- IncidentNews
Grounded F/V Pacific Quest; Santa Cruz, CA
oil · ID 9772 · 36.948, -122.067
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On August 12, 2018, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) staff contacted the NOAA SSC about a grounded fishing vessel just outside Santa Cruz, CA at the base of the bluff near UC Santa Cruz’s Seymour Marine Discovery Center. The vessel is carrying 1,200 gallons of diesel. Responders on-scene have requested a trajectory.
- IncidentNews
Broken up vessel "Dickey Byrd"; Santa Cruz, CA, USA
oil · ID 9746 · 36.950, -122.100
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On July 1, 2018, the USCG Sector San Francisco staff contacted their NOAA SSC about the vessel “Dickey Bird” that had been the subject of a search and rescue case, but was now broken up offshore near Grotto Beach near Santa Cruz, CA. The vessel is believed to contain 40 gallons of diesel fuel. Given the proximity to sensitive shorelines, the USCG requested information on oil fate & transport.
- IncidentNews
Sunken Vessel - Ocean Beach; San Francisco, CA
oil · ID 9727 · 37.760, -122.637
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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.
- IncidentNews
P/C Ocean Breeze aground; San Joaquin River Delta, CA, USA
oil · ID 9696 · 38.098, -121.593
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On the afternoon of 02-APR-2018, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their SSC to request a hypothetical “what if” trajectory for a vessel aground in the San Joaquin River. The M/V OCEAN BREEZE reportedly has 400 gallons of diesel fuel and 50 gallons of miscellaneous other oils (motor, lube, hydraulic) on board, which are scheduled for removal tomorrow morning. No spill has occurred at this time; though trajectory support has been requested to support upcoming lightering and salvage/removal operations.
- IncidentNews
Vessel Debris; Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
other · ID 9691 · 36.638, -121.926
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On March 27, 2018, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) staff contacted the local NOAA SSC to request a drift estimate of submerged vessel debris from a grounded, 35-ft sailing vessel (S/V EAN NA MARA) that broke apart on 12-JAN-2018 near Pacific Grove, CA. Subsequent dive and side scan sonar surveys have been unable to locate keel and engine. MBNMS has requested any information that might assist in future subsurface surveys for the vessel debris.
- IncidentNews
S/V Bella Gina adrift; off San Simeon, CA
other · ID 9673 · 35.610, -121.410
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On February 17, 2018, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) contacted their NOAA SSC to request trajectory support for a sailboat set adrift within the Sanctuary five days earlier. The 35-ft S/V BELLA GINA was taking on water and the subject of a search & rescue (SAR) case by USCG. The MBNMS requested modeling support to help determine where the S/V may have drifted and/or sunk.
- IncidentNews
San Diego Mystery Sheen; Offshore San Diego, CA
oil · ID 9653 · 32.708, -117.703
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On January 22, 2018, the USCG Sector San Diego called the NOAA Emergency Response Division to report a 6 mile by 100 foot sheen observed late yesterday, approximately 20 miles off of Point Loma, CA. The USCG requested assistance in determining whether the oil might be from a passing vessel or associated with a natural seep.
- IncidentNews
Sewage Spill: Monterey Bay; Off Salinas, CA
other · ID 9650 · 36.728, -121.838
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On January 19, 2018, a release of 4.9 million gallons of raw sewage was reported in Monterey Bay, CA. The raw sewage was released through the diffuser of the sewage outfall system, located about 2 miles offshore. NOAA ERD was asked for a trajectory analysis.
- IncidentNews
F/V Crystal Star sunk; Santa Catalina Island, CA, USA
oil · ID 9626 · 33.307, -118.449
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On November 29, 2017, the USCG Sector LA/Long Beach contacted their NOAA SSC to request trajectory support for a fishing vessel sunk just off the Southwest shoreline of Catalina Island, CA. The F/V Crystal Star had grounded near Salta Verde Point, Santa Catalina Island and later sank with 120 gallons of diesel on board. USCG requested a trajectory analysis.
- IncidentNews
Floating drum; San Francisco Bay, CA, USA
other · ID 9620 · 37.866, -122.444
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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.
- IncidentNews
Mystery sheen; San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge, San Francisco, CA, USA
oil · ID 9619 · 37.799, -122.379
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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.
- IncidentNews
Platform Hidalgo hydraulic fluid spill; Lompoc, CA 93436, USA
oil · ID 9616 · 34.502, -120.703
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On November 8, 2017, the USCG Marine Safety Detachment (MSD) Santa Barbara contacted their NOAA SSC to report a spill of 50 gallons of hydraulic fluid on Platform Hidalgo (off Point Conception, just west of Santa Barbara Channel), of which 20 gallons were reported to have entered the water. According to the NRC report, the release occurred at 0640 hrs on 08-NOV-2017, resulted in a 0.5 mile X 15’ sheen, and conditions were calm. USCG requested trajectory support.
- IncidentNews
Tug CALEB; Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, USA
oil · ID 9608 · 37.498, -122.478
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On 25-OCT-2017, the USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to request trajectory support for an "old" grounded tug boat in Half Moon Bay, CA. The 60-foot long Tug CALEB had been at anchor in Half Moon Bay but dragged anchor during recent heavy wave conditions. The USCG estimates there may be 3,000-5,000 gallons of mixed oily liquids on board. As USCG develops a plan to address the vessel, they have requested oil fate & transport support to assess the potential risks to local resources in the event that a spill occurs in the coming weeks.
- IncidentNews
USS Dewey; San Diego, CA
oil · ID 9587 · 32.632, -117.224
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On October 4, 2017, the USS Dewey experienced a release of up to 700 gallons of lube oil. The incident occurred 5 miles from Coronado and 3 miles south of Pt. Loma. USCG is requesting a fates analysis and trajectory.
- IncidentNews
Sunken skiff; Pittsburg, CA 94565, USA
other · ID 9582 · 38.045, -121.895
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USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to request a drift estimate for a 25 ft work boat that sank in Suisun Bay, near Pittsburg, CA. The work boat had been tied to a spud barge when it rolled over at 0410 hrs on 26-SEP-2017. The lines then parted and the work boat sank at 0549 hrs with no reported sheening. USCG requested info on size and direction of search area to re-locate and salvage the sunken work boat.
- IncidentNews
Shipping Containers Overboard; Port of Oakland, CA 94607, USA
other · ID 9580 · 37.811, -122.326
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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.
- IncidentNews
Phillips 66 Refinery Spill; Rodeo, CA 95033, USA
oil · ID 9564 · 38.060, -122.260
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On September 4, 2017, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted the NOAA SSC to request fate and transport estimate for a 50 gallon spill of gas oil (API 23) from the Phllips 66 refinery in Rodeo, CA. The spill occurred at roughly 0815 hrs (local) from an unpressurized pipeline along the facility’s pier. A USCG overflight is scheduled.
Ordered by the date each record reports, newest first, 25 per page. Dates are California local time.
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