RESPONSE TO AN OIL SPILL FROM A SUNKEN WWII OIL TANKER IN YAP STATE, MICRONESIA

Lets go back in time 57 years to the war in the Pacific ! Admiral Halsey’s 3rd fleet of US warships and other vessels massing in late 1944 for the final invasion of Japan. Remote Ulithi Atoll Lagoon (4th largest in the world) - US Secret Pacific base. Up to 700 ships and 10’s thousands of troops preparing for battle in the calm waters of the lagoon.

Location of ‘Allied Forces Secret Pacific Base’

Japanese Imperial Navy had a secret weapon and knew where the US fleet was. The “Kaiten” – mass produced one man-suicide torpedoes were deployed to attack Ulithi lagoon– it was the first use of the ‘secret weapon’ A one person 3,418 lb warhead – traveled at up to 30 knots in speed underwater - no return/one way !

November 20 ,1944 - 5.45 am 5 Kaiten subs attacks the fleet - USS Mississinewa hit. - Sub hunters swing into action - depth charge lagoon

The oil tanker USS Mississinewa had sat in the entrance to the lagoon Mugai Channel - a very large sitting target & the fleet refueling vessel.

Tanker held approx. 500,000 gallons of aviation fuel and many millions gallons of ship bunker fuel oil

Vessel hit around the #2 / #3 wing tanks Vessel hit around the #2 / #3 wing tanks. The bow was destroyed and broke off. A major fire & ammunition explosions tore 40 ft hole.

Many heroic rescue efforts took place Many heroic rescue efforts took place. Many of the crew were saved but 60 sailors died, as she burned and took on water and went down.

57 years later - a typhoon in early July 2001 impacts the lagoon and disturbs the wreck with resulting oil seepage.

Oil leaks from the vessel for a month contaminating the islands before locals report to the Yap authorities.

Yap EPA & Marine Resources investigate reports and carry out over flights

Actions taken by Yap Government Authorities State of Emergency declared in Yap FSM Ban on fishing in the lagoon ( impacting subsistence fishing & food supply for local villagers Dived wreck and estimated leak rate and source Provided support vessel for operations in lagoon. Called US Navy & USCG for assistance. US Coast Guard did a SCAT and recommended US Navy contain the oil leak.

Photos USS Mississinewa leaking oil August 2001 US Navy & Private Salvage Divers – late August 2001 performed repairs on the vessel Photos USS Mississinewa leaking oil August 2001 Photos Courtesy NavSea/PCCII

During late August - US Navy team & contract divers seal leak on USS Mississinewa. SPREP receives request for assistance for an independent assessment of pollution potential and impacts on environment. FSM declares state of emergency at Federal level after receiving reports from US Navy team that 9 million gallons of heavy bunker fuel oil remains on the sunken vessel. PACPOL officer dispatched to Yap to assist.

The objectives of the SPREP Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) were to: To confirm if all oil leaks from the sunken USS Mississinewa refueling oil tanker has ceased. To determine the resources at risk in the area of the spill and any ecological damage. Document the oiling and physio-ecological character of the shorelines of Ulithi lagoon. To assess extent of remaining oil on shorelines with particular focus on the environmentally sensitive islands known as the “turtle islands”, to the south east of the lagoon. To determine if the oil that had reported to have impacted Fais Island 50nm was from the USS Mississinewa spill.

SEA Objectives (2) To cross check existing information on environmental sensitivities and clarify observations from previous surveys. To determine priorities and requirements for any shoreline cleanup actions or restoration. Observe and assess the impacts of oil on any wildlife in the region. Document any ecological constraints on spill response or cleanup operations. To provide an overall recommendation on any necessary actions related to the remaining oil on the USS Mississinewa. To provide environmental, technical and spill response advice to the Yap government and agencies.

Vessel located in Ulithi lagoon in 35-40 meters of water 2 nm from Mugai channel.

Inspection dives by PACPOL personnel on USS Mississinewa. 1944 2001 2001 Inspection dives by PACPOL personnel on USS Mississinewa.

Wreck Evaluation Initial oil leak had been stopped by US Navy (late August 2001) US Navy personnel estimates 9 million gallons NSFO (US Navy Special Fuel Oil) still on vessel SPREP determines from wreck evaluation that it is a case of “if” but “when” next leak will occur Wreck is: over 56 years old continuously exposed to corrosive seawater at tropical temperatures weakened by explosions & fire during the sinking suffered impacts of typhoons and storms over many decades suffered slow degradation of structure due to metal loss/rusting already shown weakness of structural fasteners & pipe-work demonstrated a history of leaks by historical accounts over many decades.

Likely future oil leak scenarios Two major categories of potential oil releases from the USS Mississinewa - “catastrophic” or “chronic” low level seepage into Ulithi lagoon. Storm or severe weather event releasing oil from one or more tanks of the vessel. Slow degradation of vessel resulting in periodic or continuous seepage of oil leading to chronic low level contamination.

Scale of Potential Releases of Oil Assuming continuous release over the 2 month period 18,000-24,000 gallons of oil has been released (91,000 litres) With 9,000,000 gallons remaining still oil board - only 0.20 to 0.25% of the oil cargo was spilt over the past 2 months. Potential oil spill - 400 to 500 times the amount of oil already spilt, Advice: structural integrity of wreck is suspect wreck poses a “grave and imminent danger” of a pollution hazard to the environment of Ulithi lagoon & health of its population. most effective response option is “control at source” requires hot tapping vessel oil holds and salvage of oil cargo “Window of opportunity” to act.

Type of Oil Blend of persistent and non-persistent oils, possibly mix of bunker # 6 & # 2 fuel oil. Weathering tests 10-20% wt lost in 2 days. Heavy residual tar balls and mats remaining.

Oil Fate & Impacts What was the environmental damage from the spill ? How long will it take for the environment to recover ? Can the ban on fishing be lifted ? Winds & currents Movement of oil in the lagoon & further Ecology and foreshore types Major habitats & ecosystems Flora & fauna State of major indicator species Examination of fisheries health/impacts

SCAT of Foreshores of Lagoon Islands

Foreshore surveys - SCAT GIS was created by PACPOL on site for Yap authorities from field data, reports and scanned nautical charts to display environmental data

Major Oil Impacts from SCAT Results

Islands - Major Breeding Colonies Sea Turtles Islands - Major Breeding Colonies Sea Turtles. (reports of dead turtles from spill)

Natural Cleaning Action of Foreshores - storms, sun, winds & waves

Assessment of Wildlife Impacts

Impacts of Oil Spill to Reefs

Ban on Fishing - During Spill Fishing ban was a prudent and sound measure by Yap authorities. Had received reports of sickness from eating seafood from lagoon. Issues oil toxicity/impacts bioaccummulation of hydrocarbons tainting of seafood indicator species detoxification processes/timing importance of food supply (subsistence fishing) Since spill source had been contained and from results of assessment - recommended fisheries be reopened immediately

Recommendations - Response Planning Essential Yap National Marine Spill Contingency Plan be completed Assessment of any response equipment needed on site for future spill events in the lagoon. Assessment & documentation of environmental resources and significance Determine the fate “sink” of any oiled sediments & residues from foreshore cleaning processes Protection of high risk reefs Other habitat & wildlife protection priorities “Window of Opportunity” to act on removing oil from deteriorating wreck of USS Mississinewa. Vessel poses an “unacceptable and ever present” pollution risk to Ulithi Lagoon.

Mississinewa began leaking oil again in late 2001 & early 2002 Use of remote sensing (satellite imagery) to identify oil spill trajectory

In early 2003 the USS Mississinewa oil cargo was off-loaded in a major operation carried out by US NavSea and private salvage contractors. Approximately 2,000,000 gallons (7.5 million litres) of heavy fuel oil had been recovered from the wreck – believed to be over 95% of the oil on-board.

SPREP WWII Pacific Shipwreck Database – Status - Summary Currently database stands at 3855 vessels logged ( both military and merchant ) Over 13.5 million tons of shipping lost in the Pacific during WWII Predominantly Japanese (86%) USA (11%)

Location of WWII Shipwrecks in the Pacific SPREP GIS Database

SPREP WWII Pacific Shipwreck Database Types of vessels lost Of the known vessel types lost… 2250 cargo vessels 14 battleships 28 aircraft carriers 201 destroyers 58 cruisers 182 submarines

Location of WWII Oil Tankers & Oilers Shipwrecked in the Pacific - SPREP GIS Database

Numbers of WWII vessels identified Distribution of sunken WWII vessels by National EEZ (SPREP Countries only) SPREP Country Numbers of WWII vessels identified Papua New Guinea 279 Solomon Islands 158 Fed. States Micronesia 150 Palau 77 Marianas 64 Australia 49 Marshall Islands Of the 3358 WWII wrecked vessels 857 are in SPREP nations EEZs the remainder are in Asian Pacific nations & international waters

WWII Wrecks PNG & Solomon Islands – SPREP Database Papua New Guinea Solomons Australia

Great Barrier Reef Depth of water & location to vulnerable resources of importance in the SPREP Strategy risk assessment

Any Questions ?