Role of Auxiliary in Pollution Incidents US Coast Guard Auxiliary, D11N Wilfred Sumner ADSO MS

Objectives To familiarize Auxiliary personnel with pollution response activities. To discuss various scenarios that may arise. To discuss Coast Guard Auxiliary response to reports of pollution.

Auxiliary Duties When Observing An Incident Identify the pollution incident. Report the incident to National Response Center & your Station Monitor the Incident and stay on station until relieved.

Initial notifications Local Station or Authority National Response Center (NRC) 800-424-8802 Sector Command Center

Questions Asked by NRC Is there a source of the discharge? Is the source secured? What actions is the responsible party taking to mitigate the discharge? Describe the size, color and coverage of the spill

Sheens Very thin layer of oil usually less than 0.0001 of an inch floating on the water surface. Not recoverable Minimal environmental impact Can be gray to rainbow in color depending on age and product

Mystery Sheens How big is it? Can a source be identified? Is there significant media or public interest? Is it near the Monterey Bay Aquarium? IMD will most likely not dispatch personnel if a source can’t be identified and is unrecoverable

Mystery Drums Metal or plastic containers used to contain oil or other hazardous materials No responsible party May contain an unknown substance

Response to Mystery Drums Station will ask Auxiliary if they can remain on-scene until help arrive. If not then we will ask you to get last known position NRC will ask if it accessible by land or ask for a ride to it’s last known location Once on scene Station/IMD will determine if a contractor needs to be hired for removal.

Description of Spills Form Color Size

What happens to oil when it is spilled? Spreading Oil Weathering Transport

Oil Thickness

Spreading Does not spread uniformly. 50 barrels of Arabian crude

EASY REORTING METHOD --- BOX IT --- SQUEEZE IT --- DESCRIBE IT --- REPORT IT

SPILL ON WATER

BOX IT 2 4

BOX IT 2 x 4 = 8 SQ. NM

SQUEEZE IT 2 4

SQUEEZE IT 2 4

SQUEEZE IT 30% COVERAGE 2 4

Dispersion and Dissolution Dispersion a major removal mechanism. Droplets 50 to 70um in diameter are not likely to resurface due to turbulence. Less than 1 to 2% of the spilled oil volume actually dissolves into the water column.

Tarballs

THE TEST…IS IT OIL? CRUDE OIL SLICK

IS IT OIL? RED TIDE

IS IT OIL? KELP BED

IS IT OIL? POSSIBLY SUBMERGED ALGAE ?

Records to collect during a spill. Photos/Videos Charts Statements/Interviews Samples-MSL Facility Com. logs Procedures & Documents required

Helpful ways to assist IMD personnel Try to determine a source of the discharge. Mark the last known position of drums Take pictures Issue NOFI’s Make witness statements

Reports of Pollution incidents Coxswain call in to NRC 800 424 8802 Radio into local CG Station or Authority Take notes of spill to be reported on Mission Report 7030 Take Photos Use mission 70b on 7030 Supply 7030 and notes to Issuing Authority

Sector San Francisco Pollution Cases MST1 ANDERSON WAS HERE

Boat Fire, Turner Cut Resort On October 8, 2007, Sector San Francisco was notified of a fire that occurred at the Turner Cut Resort near Stockton, CA. The Sector duty pollution team was dispatched to the location and discovered that at least six vessel were burned. The damaged to the vessels ranged from burned to the waterline to completely sunk. The owners of the vessels could not be found to initiate a response to the spill. The pollution team opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and hired Parker Diving Service to mitigate the spill and possibly salvage certain vessels if needed. Suspected cause: Arson.

Fire, Turner Cut Resort

Fire, Turner Cut Resort The cost of this project was $36,784.00 Six rec boats were burned when the marina caught on fire Impacted region was marshy Decision Memo was requested by NPFC to justify response Local Fire Department response was significantly delayed due to remote location An estimated 500 gallons of diesel and gasoline was discharged into the water The contractor used sorbent pads and boom to recover the spilled substances and nets to recover the sheening debris An estimated 300 gallons was recovered by the contractors The cost of this project was $36,784.00

CFV Lou Denny Wayne November 29, 2007

CFV Lou Denny Wayne On November 29, 2007, Sector San Francisco received a call from a grounded vessel a half a mile south of Pigeon Point lighthouse. While recovering crab pots at 0300, the vessel sustained damaged to the starboard bow section and was taking on water. In an attempt to save his vessel, the owner grounded the vessel on the rocks approx. 20 yards from shore. The owner and his son were rescued by a CG helo, while the vessel remained grounded with a potential of 500 gallons of diesel on board. The pollution team was dispatched to the scene and discovered that the owner of the vessel did not have insurance. The OSLTF was opened and Parker Diving was hired to remove the fuel from the vessel.

CFV Lou Denny Wayne

CFV Lou Denny Wayne December 4th, 2007 December 6th, 2007 The salvage efforts by Parker Diving were completed successfully yesterday by 1430 hors (PST). The diesel engine, generator, shaft and keel were removed. All debris greater than 5 square inches in size was removed from the beach. Remaining debris consisted primarily of wood, fasteners and screws, and foam. Three 5-7 lb lead weights were also overlooked in the intertidal zone. The fuel tanks were not found. Mr. Morelli may have recovered them earlier. NOAA OLE will look into that. Mr. Morelli said that he would do the finishing cleanup on the beach to recover the remaining smaller debris using bags. Parker supplied him with heavy duty bags for that purpose. Mr. Morelli also said that he would haul all recovered debris away for proper disposal. If he fails to do these things, Parker will complete the job with his crew next week. The helicopter go trapped at the LZ last night due to inclement weather that moved in shortly after the last lift. The helo could not find acceptable VFR conditions to fly to an airport where it could refuel. They will attempt to fly out today. Mr. Morelli was cooperative on scene yesterday. Five members from Parker's team, four members from Columbia helicopters, three members from USCG IMD, eight members from CDF Pescadero, six members from NOAA, the landowner, and up to 7 guests of Mr. Morelli were on scene during the operations. Parker Diving Service was contracted by NOAA to remove the debris, engine, generator, windlass, shaft, and other components of the wreck.

Any Questions?