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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Showing 2,126 to 2,150 of 2,160 records for all sources
- IncidentNews
T/V Command; San Francisco Bay, California
unknown · ID 5012 · 37.750, -122.333
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On September 28, 1998, a USCG overflight identified an oil slick approximately 10 nm offshore San Francisco Bay northwest of Point San Pedro. The mystery slick (later identified as the result of a faulty fuel transfer aboard the T/V Command) contained streamers of black oil, mousse, and sheens. On September 29 NOAA sent a team on-scene. By October 2 very little recoverable oil or tarballs were seen during the overflight and the FOSC released the NOAA team. Tarballs had impacted Pillar Point, Pomponio Beach, Air Force Beach, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, and San Gregorio Beach and cleanup crews had been dispatched to continue the cleanup. Impacts to Wildlife: Impacts to wildlife, especially birds were reported by the International Bird Rescue and Research Center. They reported that Common Murres (52 live/ 36 dead), Glaucous-winged Western Gull Hybrid (1/0), Greater White-fronted Goose (1/0), Shearwater (2/2), Western Gull (4/2) and dead were Common Loon (1), Sooty Shearwater (1), Western Grebe (1), Brown Pelican (2), Brandt's Cormorant (1), Cormorant (1), Eared Grebe (2), California Gull (1) had been recovered. USCG district 11. Keyword: none.
- IncidentNews
Anchorage #9; San Francisco, CA
unknown · ID 7338 · 37.750, -122.333
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During bunkering operations in Anchorage #9, South San Francisco Bay, the Tank Ship COMMAND discovered a fracture along the starboard fuel tank. An estimated 10 bbl IBF 380 was released. The leak was secured and the fuel transferred from that tank. MSO San Francisco has requested trajectory information. An 1650 overflight showed no recoverable oil. First light overflights will be conducted to determine the extent of any remaining oil. Investigations into the cause of the spill are continuing. NOAA SSC is on scene to provide any assistance. USCG district 17. Keyword: The location of spill was at 37? 45' 58.7" N by 122? 20' 54.4" W..
- IncidentNews
Mystery Marsh Spill; Long Beach, California
unknown · ID 7285 · 33.719, -118.066
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A release of hydrochloric acid (HCl) at unknown concentrations was reported in a wetland water-filled depression in the Bolsa Chica wetlands, near Long Beach, California. Laboratory results indicated high hydrogen (pH 2 - 3) and HCl present. The depth of the saline or sea water in the depression was reportedly 1 foot. USCG district 11. Keyword: none.
- IncidentNews
M/V Kure (grounding); 100 yards off the South Jetty, Entrance Channel, Humboldt Bay, CA
unknown · ID 7281 · 40.765, -124.246
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At about 1300, 14 March 1998, USCG Group Humboldt Bay reported to the MSO San Francisco that the M/V Kure was hard aground on a sandy shoal approximately 100 yards off the south jetty of the entrance channel to Humboldt Bay. The vessel was loaded with wood chips and carried 250,000 gallons of IFO 180 aboard. The vessel tanks were sounded, and no pollution was reported at the time of the grounding. The MSO notified the NOAA SSC to be on stand-by to come on-scene in the event oil was released. Assist tugs were arranged, and the vessel was refloated with out incident the next day. USCG district 11. Keyword: potential spill.
- IncidentNews
Tarballs 98; Bodega Bay, CA
unknown · ID 7259 · 38.294, -123.067
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At about 1450, Saturday, 17 January, MSO San Francisco was notified of stranding tarballs and oiled wildlife on the beaches of Drakes Estero. Teams found tarballs, oiled vegetation and scattered tar patties along the beach at the water line. Wildlife teams began collecting oiled live and dead birds. A Unified Command was established and the Coast Guard hired cleanup contractors to remove the oiled debris. To date, about 120 lbs of tar and solid waste has been collected. Several overflights have been conducted and no floating oil has been found. Assessments of other Point Reyes area beaches have been made and no new oiling was found. As of yesterday, a total of 64 oiled birds have been collected for cleaning and 115 have been found dead. Rescue efforts will continue as impacts to wildlife remain and further assessment are planned. USCG district 11.
- IncidentNews
Mystery Spill, Point Reyes; Point Reyes, CA
unknown · ID 7248 · 38.026, -122.953
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Mystery Spill Drakes Bay, CA Initial Report: On Sunday November 16, MSO San Francisco received reports from Point Reyes National Seashore of tarballs and oiled birds on Drakes Beach. An MSO team was dispatched and found trace amounts of dime sized tarballs along the beach. Personnel from the Point Reyes National Seashore and the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary began collecting oiled live birds and dead birds. The Coast Guard conducted an overflight, but did not find any floating oil. By Monday, there were over 50 birds found dead, and an estimated 200 birds observed oiled in an area extending out to the Farallone Islands and south to Ocean Beach. Among the birds affected were 7 Snowy Plovers and one Brown Pelican, both endangered species. The International Bird Rescue and Research Center in Berkeley CA began cleaning and rehabilitating oiled birds. Assessment teams continued to find dime to half dollar sized tarballs along the shoreline and in the high tide debris line from Drakes Beach to Limantour Beach. On Tuesday the SSC conducted an overflight and found no floating oil. Clean up teams began removing oiled debris. In addition to oiled birds, there was a report of nine oiled (estimated 2% coverage) Elephant Seals observed near Chimney Rock. Shoreline assessment, wildlife collection, cleaning and rehabilitation continued. On Wednesday, the assessment teams found no new oiling. The cleanup crews finished cleaning the impacted areas. Wildlife teams had collected a total of 78 oiled birds for cleaning, and found 194 birds dead. Teams continued assessment of beaches and wildlife collection and observations. Thursday continued with shore assessments, wildlife collections and observations. There was no further shore impacts and sign off of some areas was started. However late in the day, an additional 50 freshly oiled birds were reported and there were concerns about additional floating oil. Today, the SSC conducted another overflight concentrating in an area between the Farallone Islands, Point Reyes and Bolinas Point. Some areas of oil were found. The areas consisted primarily of trace amounts of silver sheens and some scattered tarballs with sheen in convergence lines. A larger area of sheen, tarballs, and tar patties was found south of the area about 20 east of San Pedro Point. In the Drakes Bay area, teams continued to survey beach areas, and conduct wildlife collections and observations. Bird totals as of today are: 92 oiled birds collected for cleaning and rehabilitation and 278 birds found dead. The SSC will conduct an overflight tomorrow and remains on call to assist as needed. USCG district 5.
- IncidentNews
Mystery Tarballs, Drakes Bay; Point Reyes, California
unknown · ID 7246 · 38.026, -122.953
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On November 16, 1997, MSO San Francisco received reports of tarballs and oiled birds on Drakes Beach from the Point Reyes National Seashore. An MSO team was dispatched and found trace amounts of dime-sized tarballs along the beach. Personnel from the Point Reyes National Seashore and the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary began collecting oiled live and dead birds. The Oiled Wildlife Care Network and International Bird Rescue and Research Center in Berkeley, California began cleaning and rehabilitating oiled birds. USCG district 11. Keyword: International Bird Rescue and Research Center.
- IncidentNews
M/V Kure; Humboldt Bay, California.
unknown · ID 7239 · 40.817, -124.167
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At about 0420 on November 5, 1997, the M/V Kure, a 639-foot Panamanian-flagged cargo carrier transporting wood chips, was shifting at the Louisiana Pacific Dock where she was berthed and allided with pilings. The allision punched a 12-inch hole about 10-feet above the waterline and, in the time required to plug the hole, approximately 4537 gallons of IFO 180 had discharged into Humboldt Bay. At the time of the incident, there were cloudy skies and winds reported light and variable. USCG district 11. Keyword: boom, Clean Bay inc., containment boom, International Bird Rescue, warm- or hot-water washing.
- IncidentNews
Mystery Spill/Monterey Bird Incident; Santa Cruz, California
unknown · ID 7235 · 36.935, -121.905
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On October 24, 1997, the USCG received reports of an unknown substance washing ashore at Sunset Beach in Soquel Cove, Monterey Bay; they also began receiving reports of bird impacts. The beach was initially evacuated and the Santa Cruz HAZMAT Team investigated the substance. It was determined to be a non-toxic, non-petroleum oil, however a definitive identification was never made. Laboratory reports ranged from hydrogenated vegetable oil, emulsified sardine oil, to an animal, vegetable, or fish by-product. USCG district 11. Keyword: none.
- IncidentNews
Platform Irene; Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
unknown · ID 7229 · 34.650, -120.650
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At approximately 2330 on September 9, 1997, Platform Irene, offshore near Point Arguello, California, reported a spill from its 20-inch pipeline. This pipeline connects the platform to the shoreline terminal at Point Arguello. Platform Irene is operated by the Torch Operating Company for Nueva Energy (Houston). The release was caused by a fracture in a weld near a flange at a depth of about 33 fathoms. The amount released was originally reported as 2,900 barrels, which was the potential amount in the pipeline at the time the weld broke. This amount was revised after overflights and other observations were conducted to between 200 and 500 barrels. The oil was Monterey crude mixed with the drilling and pumping waters. Skimming vessels from the Clean Seas Cooperative, MSRC and from the Fisherman's Oilspill Response Team were contracted for on-water collection. The RP also alerted dispersant aircraft, but they were not used. The RP assumed the major role in the response, with Federal agencies providing assistance and oversight. Other federal participation included, USFWS for bird impacts, NOAA National Marine Santuaries provided air and on-water observation platforms, and Vandenberg Air Force Base (AFB), the landowners of the impacted areas. USCG district 11. Keyword: Clean Seas Cooperative.
- IncidentNews
Barge Bell 157; San Pablo Bay, California
unknown · ID 7209 · 38.017, -122.350
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On June 10, 1997, the tug William Tindale was pushing the hopper barge Bell 157 when it overturned and sank between buoys 8 and 10, just outside the channel in San Pablo Bay, California. The barge was loaded with sand, but there were also 600 gallons of diesel fuel, 450 gallons of hydraulic oil, 80 gallons of lube oil, and various 55-gallon drums onboard. Two personnel onboard drowned when the barge capsized. Containment and salvage operations were initiated. The area around the barge was boomed and divers looked for the missing personnel. The barge was eventually righted, the bodies recovered, and the oils pumped off. USCG district 11. Keyword: none.
- IncidentNews
M/V Cape Mohican; San Francisco, California
unknown · ID 5004 · 37.763, -122.382
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At about 1530, October 28, 1996, the M/V Cape Mohican, a 725-foot Maritime Administration (MORAD) vessel, discharged an estimated 1,950 barrels (about 81,000 gallons) of IFO 180. The discharge occurred while the vessel was in Drydock #2 of the San Francisco Drydock Shipyard at pier 70, San Francisco Bay. Most of the oil was retained within the drydock, with an estimated 200 barrels (about 8,000 gallons) released into the waters of San Francisco Bay. The discharge is believed to have resulted from transfer from a stabilization tank, where an open valve discharged stored fuel through a seachest. Weather at the time of release was winds south-southwest at about 14 knots and getting dark. The weather changed soon after, with winds increasing up to 25-knot gusts and heavy rain. USCG district 11. Keyword: containment boom.
- IncidentNews
Heritage Platform (Exxon); Santa Barbara, California
unknown · ID 7138 · 34.350, -120.280
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On May 1, 1996, as the platform Heritage restarted operations, oil was forced through the platform's gas-flame exhaust pipe. Some product was ignited as it was released but did not continue burning on the open seas. Weather was foggy with winds east-southeast at 10 to 12 knots, seas 1 to 2 feet with swells 4 to 6 feet. Platform personnel deployed containment boom and secured the source. Clean Seas was contacted. They brought skimming vessels on-scene and began open-water cleanup operations. When visibility allowed, Exxon and the USCG conducted overflights and estimated the volume of spilled material was between 50 and 200 barrels. Clean Seas collected larger concentrations of oil with skimmers and towed booms. During night operations, oil was corralled in booms and skimmed. The cause of this incident is being investigated by MMS and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary was notified. This response lasted through the day with minimal night operations and, on the first overflight May 3, no oil could be found. USCG district 11. Keyword: Clean Seas.
- IncidentNews
Asylum Slough Oil Spill; Napa, California
unknown · ID 7137 · 38.251, -122.286
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On April 3, 1996, the 90-foot derelict F/V Maraha sank during a heavy rain storm in Asylum Slough located on the Napa River near Napa, California. Diesel fuel and oil from on-board tanks and engines discharged into the water. In addition, about 16 drums and smaller containers floated from the vessel and washed ashore. About 200 containers of unknown contents were discovered during a vessel inspection. There was a threat of release of the hazardous materials identified onboard. They were: p 1,375 gallons of liquid paint waste, p 770 gallons of liquid waste paint related materials, p 200 pounds of sodium hydroxide solid, p 115 gallons of sodium hydroxide liquid, and p 25 gallons of liquid chromic acid. USCG district 11.
- IncidentNews
U.S. Navy Pipeline; San Diego, California
unknown · ID 7133 · 32.655, -117.223
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On March 7, 1996, MSO San Diego was notified of an oil sheen covering the Southwestern Yacht Club. The discharge had come from a U.S. Navy (USN) underground pipeline carrying JP-5 jet fuel at the Point Loma Fuel Pier. The oil was coming from the northwestern shoreline of Shelter Island Yacht Basin, near the San On March 7, 1996, MSO San Diego was notified of an oil sheen covering the Southwestern Yacht Club. The discharge had come from a U.S. Navy (USN) underground pipeline carrying JP-5 jet fuel at the Point Loma Fuel Pier. The oil was coming from the northwestern shoreline of Shelter Island Yacht Basin, near the San Diego Yacht Club. Weather at the time was fair, mostly cloudy, with winds at about four knots, calm seas, air temperature 68?, and water temperature 58?. The first responders boomed the area and used sorbents to absorb the oil. The USN response contractor used vacuum trucks and two skimmers for cleanup. The CDFG, Office of Oil Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR), and Sea World Wildlife Recovery personnel were on-scene to clean oiled birds. There were about 30 oiled birds, mostly duck varieties, found; 10 birds died. The USN's contractors excavated contaminated soil and repaired the pipeline. USCG district 11.
- IncidentNews
El Cajon Train Derailment; Cajon Junction, California
unknown · ID 7128 · 34.313, -117.478
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On February 1, 1996, a runaway Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train, 4 locomotives and 49 cars, derailed on the south main track near the intersection of interstates I-15 and 138 in Cajon Junction, California. The train was carrying 178,000 pounds butyl acrylate, 158,000 pounds trimethyl phosphite, 191,000 pounds methyl ethyl ketone, 193,000 pounds denatured alcohol, one train car of petroleum distillates, and one train car of glycol. Also onboard were fiberboard, tires, fuel oil, lubrication oil, and diesel oil. Weather at the time was clear and calm. USCG district 11.
- IncidentNews
F/V Pioneer; Santa Cruz Island, California
unknown · ID 7115 · 34.090, -119.952
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On October 29, 1995, at about 2040, MSO Los Angeles/Long Beach received a call that the fishing vessel Pioneer had capsized approximately one and one-quarter nautical miles north of the west end of Santa Cruz Island in the Santa Barbara Channel. The vessel was taken in tow but sank during transit in about 39 fathoms of water with approximately 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel onboard. At the time, the weather was clear, winds 0 to 5 knots from the southeast, with calm seas. Oil sheen measuring about one by two nautical miles was observed at the sinking site. USCG district 11. Keyword: none.
- IncidentNews
Port of Los Angeles Hydrochloric Acid Release; Wilmington, California
unknown · ID 7104 · 33.827, -118.245
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On July 20, 1995, the Wilmington, California Department of Water and Power facility experienced a release of hydrochloric acid from a ruptured 2,700-gallon holding tank. The acid ran into a bermed containment area. The local fire department was on-scene and evacuated about 300 people from a ten-block area. Another tank, holding ammonium fluoride, was in the area and caused some concerns about a reaction if the two chemicals mixed. Vacuum trucks were brought on-scene to remove the hydrochloric acid from the containment area. The second tank remained intact and the incident was closed July 21. USCG district 11. Keyword: none.
- IncidentNews
F/V American Heritage; Santa Monica Bay, California
unknown · ID 7097 · 33.858, -118.700
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On the morning of May 3, 1995, the 161-foot fishing vessel, American Heritage sank in Santa Monica Bay near the 350-fathom curve. USCG district 11. Keyword: none.
- IncidentNews
Cape Bover, Suisun Bay, California; San Francisco Bay, Carquinez Strait
unknown · ID 7076 · 38.072, -122.058
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On the afternoon of January 4, 1995 the MARAD Ready Reserve Vessel Cape Bover , a cargo vessel, was under tow from the Columbia River to Suisun Bay where it was to be moored along with the rest of the "mothballed" reserve fleet. At approximately 1430 Coast Guard 11th District Operations Center received a message from MSO San Francisco stating that the vessel had arrived in Suisun Bay with two of its holds compromised and taking on water. The vessel was reportedly listing 10? or better and was estimated to be carrying 475,000 gallons of fuel oil. The MSO reported that the vessel had been anchored and that tug boats had been brought along side in the event that support was needed to move the vessel. USCG district 11.
- IncidentNews
Santa Fe Pacific Pipeline; San Diego, California
unknown · ID 7072 · 32.783, -117.108
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During the early afternoon of December 22, 1994, Santa Fe Pacific Pipeline (SFPP) reported that their facility in San Diego, California accidentally spilled Aviation-A fuel into San Diego Creek. Originally it had been reported that 500 to 1,000 gallons of product had bypassed an oily-waste treatment facility at the tank farm, been pumped directly to a charcoal filtration system, and then discharged into the creek. The creek empties into the San Diego River at the southeast corner of the parking lot next to Jack Murphy Stadium (between interstates 15 and 805). As the spill response progressed, the SFPP reported that approximately 60,000 gallons of Aviation-A fuel may have been pumped to the charcoal filtration system. The filter had been secured once the spill had been discovered, but as much as 40,000 gallons of product may have been discharged into the creek. The holding capacity of the filtration system is about 20,000 gallons. USCG district 11. Keyword: containment boom, endangered species, evaporation, low-pressure washing, shallow water recovery, siphon dams, skimmers, sorbent boom, sorbent pompoms, vacuum trucks.
- IncidentNews
Guadalupe Beach; Guadalupe, California
unknown · ID 7005 · 34.975, -120.650
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An oil production field leased and operated by the UNOCAL Corporation near Guadalupe, California, has for many years been the site of a constant release of a diesel-like substance known as diluent. The diluent, which is a mid-grade condensate product, had been injected into the production wells throughout recent decades to increase the yield from the oilfield. For economic reasons, the practice of injecting diluent into the wells replaced the use of steam during the 1950s. UNOCAL stopped injecting diluent by 1990. Either through poor injection practices or through a faulty pipeline system, diluent was released into the field in large quantities. Current estimates are that there may be as much as 8.5 million gallons of diluent located in various plumes throughout the 2,300 acre site. The diluent plumes are below ground, riding on top of the water table. USCG district 11. Keyword: bioremediation, endangered species, propane cannons, sand replacement, seafood harvesting ban, skimmers.
- IncidentNews
Pacheco Slough; Pacheco Slough, Concord, California
unknown · ID 6981 · 38.050, -122.100
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MSO San Fransisco paged SSC at 1230 on January 26th to report a diesel and/or gasoline spill near Martinez, California. The spill occurred at 2130 on January 25th. The spill is reportedly from a ruptured pipeline that is running through a marsh adjacent to and west of Pacheco Slough (approximate position: 38 deg. 03 min. N/122 deg. 06 min. W). The slough runs south to north and empties into the Suisun Bay (pronounced "sah-soon") just east of the Carquinez Straits. The reported amount of product spilled has ranged from 3,000 to 10,000 gallons. It is also reported that there may be two separate spills concurrently impacting the area. Inital reports state that a vegetated area south of Waterfront Road, and north of a railroad line has been impacted by gasoline. Another vegetated area south of the railroad line has apparently been impacted by a Diesel Quality Reformate (Cutter Stock). The Executive Officer of MSO San Francisco, CDR Dan Ryan, conducted an overflight on the morning of the 26th. No oil was observed to have impacted Suisun Bay at that time. There is no reported Responsible Party at this time but cleanup crews from the nearby Tosco Refinery are responding. USCG district 11. Keyword: Clean Bay Inc., containment boom, evaporation, sorbent boom, sorbent pads, vacuum trucks.
- IncidentNews
Santa Clara River Pipeline; Santa Clarita, California
unknown · ID 6980 · 34.425, -118.085
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The Northridge Earthquake of January 17, 1994, caused the rupture of a crude oil pipeline owned by ARCO/Four Corners near the city of Santa Clarita, California (approximately 35 miles north of Los Angeles). Approximately 3,500 barrels of San Joaquin Valley Crude exited the pipeline and traveled through a culvert to a drainage ditch and then into the Santa Clara River. The oil traveled downstream (west) roughly 15 miles to a point where the river runs subterranean. The impact site was located 35 miles inland of the Pacific Ocean in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) zone. USCG district 11. Keyword: containment boom, drum skimmers, endangered species, filter fences, International Bird Rescue Research Center, shallow water recovery, skimmers, sorbent boom, sorbent pompoms, vacuum trucks, vegetation cutting, watercress, weed cutters.
- IncidentNews
McGrath Lake Spill; McGrath Lake, Ventura, California
unknown · ID 6976 · 34.220, -119.253
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On the morning of December 25, 1993, a failure of a pipeline belonging to Berry Petroleum was reported. The failure occurred below the ground near a pipe junction on the east side of Harbor Boulevard just south of Ventura, California. Approximately 2,000 barrels of a heavy crude produced from a local field, percolated through the ground to the west and underneath the road. The oil surfaced 50 yards west of Harbor Boulevard and entered a creek, traveled along this creek approximately 150 yards to the south where it entered McGrath Lake. McGrath is a freshwater lake (approximately 800 by 100 yards) situated amongst medium-coarse grained sand dunes and is located 100 to 200 yards inshore of the intertidal zone. The lake serves as a drainage basin for the surrounding agricultural fields and has no natural communication with the ocean. To control the lake level, water is routinely pumped out of the lake and into the Pacific Ocean through a pipeline running through the dunes and onto the beach. When the oil entered the lake, the pump was on and oil was discharged onto the sand beach and into the nearshore environment. Less than 100 barrels of oil entered the ocean; the majority was contained in the lake, the creek, or was saturated in the sediment. The mouth of the Santa Clara river was bermed to prevent oil from entering the estuary. To control the amount of water flowing through the spill site, water was diverted from the creek to the Santa Clara River via pumps. Underflow dams and filter fences with sorbent pompoms were installed along the creek. The vegetated shoreline of the creek and the lake, consisting mostly of tules, was heavily coated with oil. Because all pumping operations had ceased, the water level in the lake was rising and began covering over already impacted shoreline and affecting more habitat as it rose. After consulting with the Regional Water Quality Control Board, pumping the lake into the ocean began again and the water level was lowered to where it had been before the spill. USCG district 11. Keyword: containment boom, International Bird Rescue Research Center, propane cannons, shallow water recovery, siphon dams, skimmers, sorbent boom, sorbent pompoms, tule, vacuum trucks, vegetation cutting, volunteers, weed cutters, weir/pump skimmer.
Ordered by the date each record reports, newest first, 25 per page. Dates are California local time.
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