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.
Search The Archive
Records
Showing 2,076 to 2,100 of 2,160 records for all sources
- IncidentNews
Mystery Tarball Incident; Pacifica, CA
oil · ID 7762 · 37.527, -122.518
Read Full Report
On January 28, 2008, tarballs began washing ashore on numerous beaches between Mussel Rocks and Carmel, CA with the highest concentration being reported near Pacifica and Half Moon Bay. Shoreline surveys & cleanup were initiated by Cosco Busan responders, a NOAA trajectory hindcast was requested and tarball samples were sent for laboratory analysis to determine whether the oil was from the Cosco Busan incident or some other source. Both trajectory estimates and analytical results were consistent with natural seep area(s) south of Monterey Bay as the potential oil source.
- IncidentNews
Platform Hondo; 5 nm off Santa Barbara, CA
oil · ID 7712 · 34.400, -120.117
Read Full Report
Approximately 130 gallons of crude oil emulsion spilled from eroded pipes on Platform Hondo at 0710 this morning (Friday, 11/16/07).
- IncidentNews
M/V Cosco Busan; San Francisco Bay, CA
oil · ID 7708 · 37.800, -122.372
Read Full Report
The container ship M/V Cosco Busan struck the Bay Bridge in San Francisco Bay, CA at 08:30 PST 7NOV07. An approximate 100' gash in the hull of the vessel resulted, and 58,000 gal of fuel oil (IFO 380) was released into the water. An Incident Command Post is located at Treasure Island, on-water cleanup activities have largely concluded, shoreline assessment teams continue to survey oiling conditions, and shoreline cleanup is well underway across the affected area. Many oiled and closed beaches have been cleaned and re-opened.
- IncidentNews
USS New Orleans; Off San Clemente Island, CA
oil · ID 7690 · 32.567, -118.600
Read Full Report
Sector San Diego contacted the NOAA SSC (at 1140hrs 31AUG07) regarding a 1,000 gallon spill of Navy diesel from the USS New Orleans. The incident occurred at 2000hrs on 30AUG07 15-20nm southwest of San Clemente Island, CA (32deg 34'N, 118deg 36'W). Trajectory support was requested.
- IncidentNews
Offshore mystery sheens; San Diego, CA
oil · ID 7687 · 32.767, -117.817
Read Full Report
Sector San Diego contacted the NOAA SSC on 21AUG2007 regarding two mystery sheens observed offshore from San Diego, CA. The first sheen was observed at 1400hrs on 20AUG, 25-30nm off the mainland and was described as a "thin" sheen covering 3x3nm and centered at 32deg 37'18"N, 118deg 38' 48"W. The second sheen was observed at 1400hrs on 21AUG, approximately 15 SW of San Clemente Island and was described as a "dark" sheen with a strong odor covering 2x6.6nm running roughly parallel to shore and centered on 32deg 46' 00"N, 117deg 49' 00"W. On 22AUG, two more sheen reports were made at 1300 and 1500hrs. And on 24AUG, two more sheen reports were made at 0630 and 1005hrs.
- IncidentNews
Dolphins; Oceanside, Ca
other · ID 7665 · 33.205, -117.395
Read Full Report
Between 29MAY2007 and 5JUN2007, 5 dolphin carcasses were found along a six mile stretch of beach north of San Diego. At least some of the dolphins had been shot. NMFS Law Enforcement requested hindcast trajectory support as part of their investigation.
- IncidentNews
Mystery spill; Encinitas, CA
oil · ID 7653 · 33.100, -117.367
Read Full Report
Near mid-day on 31 May 2007, Sector San Diego received a report from a private boater about a possible diesel spill offshore of Encinitas, CA (NRC #837122). A USCG helicopter overflew the area shortly thereafter and described an area of sheen (8,800 x 1,800 yards) that was parallel to shore and approximately 3nm off of the coast. Sector San Diego then contacted NOAA ERD for possible assistance.
- IncidentNews
Wayward Humpback Whales; Sacramento River, CA
other · ID 7639 · 38.563, -121.552
Read Full Report
On 14 May 2007, two humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were observed within the Sacramento River upstream of Rio Vista, CA. NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Services, The Marine Mammal Center, the U.S. Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Game, and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services responded and coordinated rescue operations. By 27MAY2007, the whales had moved downstream of the Rio Vista Bridge, lingered near the Benicia Bridge on 28MAY and continued on to the Pacific on 29MAY.
- IncidentNews
Platform Elly; Huntington Beach, CA
oil · ID 6130 · 33.582, -118.128
Read Full Report
At 1542hrs on 05 October, a release of 3,000 gallons of produce water (estimated 10 gallons crude) occurred at the Elly Platform (33deg 34'56"N, 118deg 7'39"W), approximately 7 miles offshore of Huntington Beach. On 06 October, Sector LA/LB requested trajectory to estimate time and location of beached tarballs.
- IncidentNews
F/V Five Gs; Santa Cruz Island, CA
oil · ID 6099 · 34.017, -119.622
Read Full Report
The NOAA SSC was notified of a fishing vessel that had capsized and was adrift near Santa Cruz Island, CA. An estimated 200 gallons of diesel were on board when she capsized and sheen was observed by USCG during rescue operations. The drift trajectory may take the vessel aground. The vessel is reported to be in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. The Island is managed by the National Park Service. USCG requested weather support.
- IncidentNews
F/V Relentless; Half Moon Bay, CA
other · ID 6063 · 37.600, -122.933
Read Full Report
The F/V Relentless disappeared on June 21, 2004 and is presumed sunk. NOAA NMSP has requested advice regarding a search area for the vessel based on the USCG Marine Investigator Report and the USCG Report on the Investigation into the Circumstances Surrounding the Incident.
- IncidentNews
F/V Chovie Clipper; Catalina Island, CA
oil · ID 6051 · 33.450, -118.483
Read Full Report
CFV CHOVIE CLIPPER -- CAPSIZED/SUNK/ABANDON SHIP- 5NM NE OF LONG PT, CATALINA ISLAND: Sector Los Angeles -- Long Beach received a call on 23JAN from the owner of F/V CHOVIE CLIPPER, DOC# 524626, a 67 ft steel hull purse seiner. Owner stated the vessel had capsized and sank approximately 5 NM off Long Point, Catalina Island. Vessel crew had abandoned ship into their lifeboat and made their way to Camp Fox, a YMCA campground on the beach just east of Long Point. Initial reports indicated the vessel sunk due to heavy weather, however, an overflight revealed that the vessel was still adrift. This first light overflight revealed the vessel, but no further debris or visible pollution. Crew was flown from Catalina Island to Long Beach where interviews and medical testing was conducted. Preliminary reports indicate that vessel took water over port side and capsized. Vessel had approximately 1000 gallons of fuel and 15 tons of squid on board. Later reports by Baywatch Isthmus revealed a release coming from the vessel. Insurers have been notified and are taking responsibility for this case. An overflight with a Coast Guard rider will take place at first light on 24JAN. Confirmed upon an early morning flight with a Pollution Investigator on board, the vessel has drifted onto Blue Cavern Point just north of Isthmus (Catalina Island). There is no recoverable oil at this time, and the responsible party is working with a contractor to put together a dive/salvage plan. Update: Insurance company has now hired NRC to complete clean up operations. NRC will present a complete salvage plan on 26JAN.
- IncidentNews
F/V Infidel; SSW of Catalina Island, CA
oil · ID 6039 · 33.298, -118.317
Read Full Report
On the night of January 8, 2006, the fishing vessel F/V Infidel sank. The location is about five miles SSW of Catalina Island, California. The vessel was carrying about 800 gal diesel fuel. It is not know if there is currently a sheen from any spilled fuel. The depth at that location is about 600 fathoms.
- IncidentNews
F/V Buccaneer; Point Mugu, CA
oil · ID 6038 · 34.047, -119.117
Read Full Report
On January 4, 2006, the F/V Buccaneer sank in 1200 feet of water 2.5 miles off Point Mugu, CA, near Port Hueneme, CA. The 68-foot steel-hulled squid fishing vessel was carrying approximately 1000 gallons of diesel. Sheening was observed when the vessel sank but currently is no visible sheen.
- IncidentNews
F/V Ace; Dana Point, CA
oil · ID 6028 · 33.408, -117.650
Read Full Report
The 58 foot F/V Ace capsized in the early morning hours of Saturday, 26 November 2005, with an estimated 1,500 gallons of diesel and 50 gallons of lube oil on board. At 0924hrs, Sector Los Angeles reported the vessel approximately 2 miles west of Dana Point with a one acre sheen. The vessel later sank and the vents were being plugged prior to salvage.
- IncidentNews
Oiled Birds; Eastern Santa Barbara Channel, CA
oil · ID 1256 · 34.247, -119.276
Read Full Report
On THU, 13JAN, MSO Los Angeles/Long Beach reported numerous oiled birds washing ashore in the Ventura Harbor area for the previous 2 days. By FRI afternoon, 4 wildlife recovery teams had observed 500 oiled birds and collected 200-300 oiled birds, of which 5 were dead. No oil has been observed on the beaches during early wildlife surveys, though unusually large amounts of debris have been noted. An overflight of the Ventura Harbor area observed large patches of brown, floating material heavily strewn with debris.
- IncidentNews
FV MARIAN ANN; Offshore Eureka, CA
oil · ID 1221 · 41.183, -124.483
Read Full Report
At approximately 0930 PST, the F/V Marian Ann sank 20 miles NW of Eureka, CA with up to 3,000 gallons of diesel on board. A visible sheen was reported in the vicinity of the sinking at 41.1834 degrees N and 124.4834 degrees W.
- IncidentNews
Missing F/V; Off San Francisco Bay, CA
other · ID 1189 · 37.750, -122.700
Read Full Report
missing F/V; investigation; Verbal
- IncidentNews
Sunken Vessel; Off San Francisco Bay, CA
other · ID 1181 · 37.750, -122.600
Read Full Report
F/V sink; investigation; where it is; Verbal
- IncidentNews
Gasoline Spill; Half Moon Bay, CA
oil · ID 1179 · 37.400, -122.500
Read Full Report
gasoline spill; 700 gall; notification
- IncidentNews
Suisun Slough Pipeline Spill; Suisun, CA
oil · ID 1170 · 38.170, -122.074
Read Full Report
MSO San Francisco received a report of an unknown amount of diesel fuel released from a broken 14-inch subterranean pipeline in the vicinity of Suisun Slough, Solano County, CA. MSO personnel responded and observed oil seeping into the Suisun Marsh.
- IncidentNews
Helium release; near Halfmoon Bay, CA
chemical · ID 1161 · 37.500, -122.500
Read Full Report
The Navy had a diving incident involving helium. NWS provided phone support.
- IncidentNews
Mystery Spill; Off Lopez Point, CA
oil · ID 1115 · 36.193, -121.867
Read Full Report
At 1100 PST on November 19, 2003, a US Coast Guard patrol boat report was received of a dark-colored slick 3nm by 10nm, two miles off Lopez Point, CA. A subsequent flight by CG helo at 1300hrs located the oil about 15nm north of Pt Lopez, and about 15nm north of the originally reported position. The oil was described as breaking up into smaller pieces and large tarballs, with associated sheening.
- IncidentNews
Unexploded Torpedo; Pillar Point Harbor, CA
other · ID 1069 · 37.636, -122.575
Read Full Report
On Tuesday, June 10, a diver discovered a 1940's era torpedo off the fuel pier in Pillar Point Harbor, CA. Navy EOD (Explosive Ordnance Demolition) divers confirmed it to be a potentially live torpedo carrying up to 494 pounds of TNT. As public safety emergency, the US Navy EOD team planned to move the torpedo to a site in 95 ft. of water approximately 4 miles west of Point San Pedro for underwater detonation.
- IncidentNews
SS Jacob Luckenbach Oil Removal; Gulf of the Farallones, CA
oil · ID 1008 · 37.668, -122.731
Read Full Report
The S.S. Jacob Luckenbach collided with her sister ship and sank on July 14, 1953. This vessel, which was loaded with 457,000 gallons of bunker fuel, sank in 180 feet of water approximately 17 miles west-southwest of San Francisco (37deg40.07N 122deg43.89W). It had been leaking sporadically over the years and was associated with several "mystery spills" in 2002. On 02 MAY 2002, an oil removal plan was accepted by the Unified Command and oil removal operations commenced on 25 MAY. USCG requested that the NOAA SSC lead the Resource at Risk workgroup to minimize impacts in the event of an accidental release during salvage/oil removal operations.
Ordered by the date each record reports, newest first, 25 per page. Dates are California local time.
Export CSV ↓ Downloads the complete archive: every record Tarline holds, across all sources. The export ignores the text search above and is never limited to the page you are on.