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On Monday 11/4/2024, USCG Sector Southeast Alaska contacted the SSC regarding a report from USGS indicating a potential discharge from a mine tailings pond at the Premier Gold Mine in Premier, British Columbia, Canada.

On October 30, 2024, the USCG notified NOAA of a sailing vessel aground on Palm Coast, FL. The vessel has approximately ten gallons of diesel onboard. NOAA was consulted regarding sea turtles. but nesting season is almost over. Florida Department of Environmental Protection Northeast District has been briefed and consulted.

On October 30, 2024, the USCG Sector Mobile notified NOAA SSC an allision between CDC barge #4503 pushed by T/V JASON LIVINGSTON and the Naheola Bridge on the Tombigbee River, a navigable waterway of the United States. The bridge is located in Choctaw County, AL. Barge #4503 is carrying roughly 6,200 tons of xylene. No release of material has been reported but USCG requested a hazard analysis

On October 28, 2024, the USCG Sector Southeastern New England notified the NOAA SSC about a 320-gallon release of diesel exhaust fluid from a storage tank at an offshore windfarm substation. USCG wanted to understand potential environmental impacts.

On Oct 18, 2024, NOAA was notified of multiple vessels grounded in Quilcene Bay, near the Hood Canal in Washington. On 23 October 2024, USCG requested SSC guidance on how to best remove oil, old batteries, and salvage on two vessels. The two vessels, Kristina Rose (84’) and the Aleutian (44’) are moored together and pose a pollution & abandoned derelict vessel issue.

At 2130 on October 18, NOAA SSC was notified that a tug with tow had lost power and was adrift off Cape Flattery, WA. Tug (Luther) was successfully recovered, but barge (LaForge) is adrift and unaccounted for. Max potential discharge is 2000 gallons of diesel. USCG requested a spot forecast and trajectory to locate the barge.

USCG Sector Western Alaska & US Arctic contacted the SSC on the morning of 10/12/2024 regarding the M/V Pan Viva, at risk of running aground near Dutch Harbor, AK. The vessel is not carrying any cargo, and with high wind and sea state has too much sail to hold position. They report they are within 1-2 hour of running aground. Vessel has 21 crew on board. USCG D17 helos en route for potential rescue. Vessel has 804 MT of very low sulfur fuel oil and 243 MT low sulfur marine grade oil. Pilots and tugs unavailable to escort vessel into Port of Dutch Harbor due to sea conditions. USCG requested SSC to coordinate SPOT forecast, including sea conditions and aviation weather. NWS reported immediate that weather will not improve until Sunday evening. (Current weather, winds 45/ gusts 55 knts, Seas 20-40 foot)

USCG D7 and Sector Tampa/St Petersburg, FL are making preparations for hurricane Milton response and requested NOAA SSC support. The storm is classified as a category 5 before noon on 7 Oct, 2024. USCG D7 has initiated an MA request with FEMA for target identification and SSC support. Sector Tampa/St Petersburg ICP will be in Orlando, FL and a forward command post at Manatee. The D7 area command will be at the USCG air station Miami.

On 01 October 2024, the USCG notified NOAA ERD about a US Navy MSC (Military Sealift Command) tanker that accidently discharged 2000 gallons of AFFF (fire suppressant foam) while transiting to Guam. USCG requested consultation about the composition and environmental regulations of this chemical.

At 0730 on 27 September 2024, USCG Sector Maryland notified the NOAA SSC that the MV DEFIANT was discharging diesel fuel into Baltimore Harbor. WCD is 180,000 gallons of diesel fuel. Sector Maryland requested trajectory and RAR.

On 25 September, 2024, NOAA SSC was notified that a 50 foot fishing vessel had grounded in Willapa Bay, WA at the mouth of the Columbia River. The amount of fuel or other pollutants on board is currently unknown. SSC and FOSCR discussed possible salvage operations under the authority of OSLTF

Hurricane Helene is moving northward in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and is expected to cross the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening, September 26. Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast. This hotline has been opened to capture information in advance and after landfall.

On September 23, 2024, the Michigan EGLE notified the NOAA SSC of an ongoing leak in a benzene tank at the INEOS Styrolution facility in Sarnia, Ontario. That leak is reportedly under control. MI EGLE is requesting aerial modeling for a potential larger release during or before the planned tank pump out Oct 3-5.

On Tuesday, September 17, US EPA notified SSC NW of a potential discharge from a pulp mill in Cosmopolis, WA. The 400-acre facility is owned by Cosmo Specialty Fibers and is currently dormant/non-operational. There are concerns about the large quantities of hazardous chemicals on site and the potential for a discharge of oil, hazmat, or both into the neighboring Chehalis river. Numerous tanks, totes, and drums are in varying levels of degradation. The SSC is working with WA Ecology and EPA to draft Resources at Risk/232 before any remedial actions occur.

On September 17, the SSC received a call from an anonymous party regarding a tank with approximately 7,000 gallons of waste oil on the banks of the Tagayarak River, near the mouth of the Kuskokwim River. The tank is ~1 foot from the river bank, having lost approximately 3 feet of land since summer 2023. The SSC reported the threat of discharge to the NRC and USCG Sector Western Alaska and US Arctic IMD. USCG is reaching out to the PRP to initiate the removal of the tank before further shoreline erosion.

On 16 September 2024, the State of Maryland notified the NOAA SSC about medical wastes coming ashore on Maryland's beaches. Also received USCG reports about medical wastes coming ashore along the northern beaches of Virgina, specifically the Assateague/Chincoteague area. Maryland OSC requested a hindcast.

On 13-SEP-24, USCG MSU Port Arthur contacted the NOAA NW RRO to notify them of a mystery sheen about 125 NM offshore of East Cameron, LA. The sheen was first reported on 12-SEP by Arena Offshore while they were inspecting their platforms post Hurricane Francine and is confident that it is not from their platform. A silver sheen (3.5NM x 20ft) was reported again today at 28 10’ 48”N , 92 41’ 40”W, in an area with a known collapsed platform. USCG is planning another overflight this afternoon. USCG is requesting any information on NOAA satellite imagery in this area for the next few days.

On 12 September 2024 at 7:00am, USCG Sector Delaware Bay notified the NOAA SSC that an estimated 4,000-5,000 gallons of No. 6 oil spilled during a barge loading operation at the Buckeye Terminal, Wilmington, DE. Booming and skimming operations are underway. Unknown amount of product in the Delaware River. CG requested a trajectory

On 10 SEP 2024, USCG called SSC NW to notify of a 57’ crabbing vessel on fire 3.3 nm SW of Tatoosh Island. 2 persons were MEDEVACed safely via USCG SAR OPS. Name of the vessel is Tarka II (Vessel ID: 557686); cause of fire was reported as exhaust fire. Estimated 1000 gallons of diesel on board, max potential of 4000 gallons. RP informed USCG that vessel had 10 ton chiller which used freon. USCG requested phone support and trajectory modeling. OCNMS, Makah, and Washington Ecology notified. Due to proximity with Canada, USCG has also notified the Canadian government.

NOAA ERD has been monitoring the track and development of Tropical Storm Francine which is forecast to become a hurricane and make landfall on 11 SEP 2024 on the Louisiana coast. Impacts may extend from Houston, TX through Mobile, AL. The system is expected to strengthen prior to landfall; forecasts estimate it will become a Cat 2 hurricane. The NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator has been included in district briefings. No USCG or NOAA ORR mission assignments have been issued at this time.