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 2,051 to 2,075 of 2,160 records for all sources
- IncidentNews
M/V Pacific Sea adrift; Off Point Arena, CA
oil · ID 8433 · 38.755, -124.015
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At 2047 hours (Pacific) USCG Sector San Francisco contacted the NOAA SSC to request a drift estimate for the inbound M/V Pacific Sea, a 623 foot bulk cargo carrier that had lost propulsion and adrift approximately 17nm Southwest of Point Arena, CA. Attempts are presently underway to get her under tow. She is accompanied by a tow vessel and the USCG Cutter Sockeye. Sector San Francisco requested a drift estimate.
- IncidentNews
F/V Phyllis aground; South shore of Santa Cruz Island, CA
oil · ID 8364 · 33.987, -119.648
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On the morning of 27SEP2011, the F/V Phyllis ran aground on the south shore of Santa Cruz Island, CA, within the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and the Channel Islands National Park boundaries. The vessel is believed to be carrying approximately 300 gallons of diesel fuel on board; though no release has been observed at this time. USCG Sector LA/LB contacted their NOAA SSC and requested trajectory support.
- IncidentNews
F/V Midnight Hour; Approx 1nm off the West End of Santa Catalina Island, CA
oil · ID 8350 · 33.467, -118.625
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At approximately 2145hours (local) on 30AUG2011, the 61’ F/V Midnight Hour sank approximately 1nm off of Eagle Rock near the west End of Santa Catalina Island, CA. The vessel owner/operator reported that approximately 500 gallons of diesel were on-board, but the vessel had the capacity for up to 3,000 gallons. The vessel sank too quickly to provide an exact position and it is not known whether the vessel is leaking fuel at this time. However, USCG Sector LA/LB contacted their local NOAA SSC at 0213hrs on 31AUG2011 for trajectory support, to estimate the potential for shoreline impacts and to assist during their morning overflight of the area.
- IncidentNews
Sheen report; Off San Diego, CA
oil · ID 8330 · 32.612, -117.430
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During mid-morning of 29 June 2011, USCG Sector San Diego contacted the NOAA Hazmat Duty Officer about a 27mile sheen report offshore. Follow-up information indicated that the report had originated from a Customs & Border Patrol overflight at 0830hrs (Pacific) describing a 27mile by 1,000 foot feature that was “blue-gray” in color starting at 32deg 36.400N, 117deg 57.850W and continuing to 32deg 36.700N, 117deg 25.830W. A separate vessel report of a fuel smell in the vicinity was provided during the early afternoon. Sector San Diego requested NOAA trajectory support to direct an overflight at 1700hrs and to get a sense of approximate time and location of landfall, in the event the reported feature persists. NESDIS also obtained imagery from two satellite passes during the day that appeared consistent with an anomaly in the area.
- IncidentNews
Re-fueling plane crash; Point Mugu NAS, CA
oil · ID 8320 · 34.108, -119.133
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At approximately 1700hrs on 18MAY2011 a Boeing 707 military refueling airplane crashed at the end of the runway at Naval Air Station Point Mugu. All crewmembers survived and the aircraft burned for a number of hours. Initial reports indicated that none of the approx 25,000 gallons of JP-8 jet fuel on-board had reached the Ocean. The next morning it became apparent that some of the JP-8 had entered the marsh area adjacent to the crash site and at 0830hrs on 19MAY2011 product was observed in the tidal channel under L Avenue (approx 1/3 mile from crash site). Navy Region Southwest and USCG MSD Santa Barbara contacted the NOAA SSC to request information on oil persistence in the marsh complex and trajectory support.
- IncidentNews
F/V Kathy Ann; Avila Beach, CA
oil · ID 8306 · 35.162, -120.751
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On the morning of 30MAR2011, USCG Marine Safety Detachment (MSD) Santa Barbara contacted their local NOAA SSC for trajectory support on a small potential diesel spill from a fishing vessel sunk near Avila Beach, CA. The F/V Kathy Ann is a 32foot steel-hulled vessel sunk in nearshore waters approximately 20-30feet deep at 35º 09.722’N, 120º 45.060’W. No pollution has yet been observed, but due to its location nearshore, the USCG requested a precautionary trajectory in the event of a minor release prior to or during salvage operations.
- IncidentNews
Javon Canyon spill hindcast request; San Buenaventura State Beach, Ventura, CA
oil · ID 8296 · 34.273, -119.288
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Late morning on 09MAR, USCG Marine Safety Detachment (MSD) Santa Barbara contacted the Regional SSC requesting hindcast trajectory support for oil reported on San Buenaventura State Beach near Ventura, CA. The USCG and the State of California’s Office of Spill Prevention & Response (OSPR) had already been responding to a small pipeline release from the previous day that had been secured and undergoing shoreline cleanup near Javon Canyon, approximately 6miles upcoast. No recoverable oil had been observed by shoreworkers or from USCG overflight during yesterday’s reconnaissance and cleanup operations. The hindcast was requested to determine if the oil on San Buenaventura State Beach might be related to the Javon Canyon spill or from some other source (natural or otherwise).
- IncidentNews
Barge transfer accident; Goleta Point, CA
oil · ID 8264 · 34.407, -119.892
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The USCG requested an analysis of a small release near Goleta Point, CA. A Barge released an estimated 1 bbl of light crude (API 21) during a pumping operation. The origin of the spill was at location 34°24.45N 119°53.5W and the spill occurred at 0905. A slick or "pad" was observed at location 34°25.1192N--119°54.862W at 11:34. That location is about 1.3 nm up the coast to the west of the release location. We we asked if the observed "pad" could have come from that known release location, and where likely landfall from the release might be.
- IncidentNews
Platform Gail; East end of Santa B. Channel, Ca.
oil · ID 8259 · 34.126, -119.400
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At 1245 PDT a 1.5 (One and a half) bbl spill of an API 16 oil was reported.
- IncidentNews
Mystery sheen; 14nm off San Diego, CA
oil · ID 8231 · 32.583, -117.500
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A USCG helicopter reported a 2x2 mile sheen approximately 14 miles off Point Loma (32-35N 117-30W) at 0800-0830hrs on 16JUN2010. The reported location is near the US-Mexico border and the source is unknown. USCG Sector San Diego requested NOAA trajectory support.
- IncidentNews
F/V Pacific Bully; Santa Ana jetty, CA
oil · ID 8219 · 33.630, -117.961
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At approximately 0430hrs (local) on 20APR2010, the 58foot F/V Pacific Bully ran aground near the Santa Ana Jetty, south of Huntington Beach, CA with 600-700gallons of diesel and 40tons of sardines on board. No signs of pollution have been reported from overflights or by personnel on-scene and her tanks are being sounded regularly to monitor fuel levels. The NOAA SSC had been notified initially by USCG's D-11 Command Center. Subsequent discussions with USCG Sector LA/LB personnel resulted in a request for a oil fate & trajectory estimates as a precaution in the event the vessel cannot be removed during the afternoon's high tide.
- IncidentNews
F/V Betty K; 7 miles west of Half Moon Bay, CA
oil · ID 8213 · 37.500, -122.633
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USCG Coast Guard Sector San Francisco notified the NOAA SSC of the F/V Betty K that sank approximately 7nm west of Pillar Point (near Half Moon Bay, CA). She sank at 1425hrs (local time) with up to 300 gallons diesel fuel on board. A USCG vessel on-scene reported a 1000' sheen trailing to the south at 1445hrs (local time). Trajectory support was requested.
- IncidentNews
P/C Fire Fly; 1.7nm off Morro Bay, CA
oil · ID 8159 · 35.347, -120.898
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At 2340hrs on 25NOV2009, the 30’ P/C Fire Fly sank 1.7nautical miles off Morro Bay, CA in 150’ of water. USCG Sector LA/LB contacted the NOAA SSC and requested oil fate and trajectory support.
- IncidentNews
T/V Dubai Star; San Francisco, CA
oil · ID 8139 · 37.766, -122.341
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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.
- IncidentNews
F/V Lady Frances; Santa Cruz Island, CA
oil · ID 8125 · 34.027, -119.540
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On the evening of 06OCT2009, Sector LA/LB notified NOAA ERD of a 32foot squid boat grounded near Smugglers Cove (Santa Cruz Island, CA) that is due for refloating and towing to Ventura Harbor. The F/V Lady Frances is carrying approximately 200 gallons of diesel fuel on board and shows no sign of pollution. Sector LA/LB requested information on oil fate and trajectory in the event that a spill occurs during the estimated 12-14hr transit.
- IncidentNews
USS Wenonah; Treasure Island, San Francisco Bay, CA
oil · ID 8075 · 37.821, -122.361
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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.
- IncidentNews
F/V Dandy Bill; San Mateo Bridge, San Francisco Bay, CA
oil · ID 8005 · 37.599, -122.214
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The wooden-hulled F/V Dandy Bill was reported to have lost propulsion and drifted into the San Mateo Bridge in Southern San Francisco Bay in the evenining hours of 14APR2009 in 35-40knot winds. The vessel was believed to be carrying up to 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel and began to submerge before fuel could be removed. Sector San Francisco contacted the NOAA SSC early the next morning, reported that the vessel was expected to break up soon and requested trajectory support.
- IncidentNews
USS Cleveland; SE of Point Loma, CA
oil · ID 8003 · 32.598, -117.208
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The USS Cleveland reported a release of 100 gallons of diesel fuel at 0804hrs (local) approximately 4nm south of Point Loma. Winds on-scene were reported at 5knots from the NW. Sector San Diego contacted the NOAA SSC and requested trajectory support.
- IncidentNews
Mystery Tarballs; Santa Cruz, CA
oil · ID 7979 · 36.962, -122.023
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At approximately 0940 PST, on February 18, 2009, CA-OSPR contacted ERD regarding an incident in Santa Cruz, CA. They reported silver-dollar size tarballs coming ashore since 1700 on Feb. 17, 2009. Volume unknown. RP unknown. ERD contacted to provide hind-cast trajectory information.
- IncidentNews
Platform A; Santa Barbara Channel, CA
oil · ID 7939 · 34.332, -119.613
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At approximately 0700hrs (local time) on 07DEC2008, approximately 27bbls of crude oil was released from a failed pump on Platform A (34deg 19'55"N, 119deg 36'45"W) in the Santa Barbara Channel. CA OSPR and the Channel Islands NMS notified the NOAA SSC and requested trajectory support.
- IncidentNews
USS Abraham Lincoln; Off San Clemente Island, CA
oil · ID 7938 · 32.637, -118.372
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At approximately 1835hrs (local time) on 04DEC2008, a release of 10,000 gallons of JP-5 fuel was reported to have occurred from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln approximately 10 nautical miles south of San Clemente Island. Sector San Diego notified the NOAA SSC the following morning and requested trajectory support.
- IncidentNews
Mystery tarballs; Alameda, CA
oil · ID 7837 · 37.763, -122.273
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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.
- IncidentNews
Universal Studios Fire; Los Angeles, CA
chemical · ID 7826 · 34.140, -118.349
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A fire broke out at a Universal Studios Back-lot early in the morning of 1JUN2008. By the afternoon, approximately 2-3 acres of the site had burned and the LA County Fire Department requested particulate modeling through EPA for the dense smoke plume coming off of a large (~100,000 sq ft) video storage warehouse at the site. NOAA ERD was contacted to provide modeling support and has been coordinating information and outputs with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center (NARAC).
- IncidentNews
Tesoro gasoline spill; Martinez, CA
oil · ID 7816 · 38.000, -122.000
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Sector San Francisco notified the NOAA SSC at 0140hrs on 14MAY2008 that the Tug Independence allided with Tesoro's Avon Wharf in Martinez, CA damaging three 6-8 inch pipelines and releasing an unknown quantity of gasoline into the Carquinez Straits. A trajectory estimate was requested.
- IncidentNews
S/V Sadie; Central Coast, CA
oil · ID 7779 · 36.015, -121.598
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On 21Feb08 at 1030, the SSC was notified by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary of a 38ft. private sailing vessel adrift 1.5 miles off the central California coast near Lopez Point. The skipper called a may day and was airlifted off the vessel by the USCG. The vessel is adrift with torn sails and no anchor.
Ordered by the date each record reports, newest first, 25 per page. Dates are California local time.
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