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

2. 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.

3. Location of ‘Allied Forces Secret Pacific Base’

4. 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 !

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

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

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 57 years later - a typhoon in early July 2001 impacts the lagoon and disturbs the wreck with resulting oil seepage.

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

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

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

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

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

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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 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.

25. 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.

26. 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

27. SCAT of Foreshores of Lagoon Islands

28. 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

29. Major Oil Impacts from SCAT Results

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

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

32. Assessment of Wildlife Impacts

33. Impacts of Oil Spill to Reefs

34. 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

35. 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.

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

37. 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.

38. 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%)

39. Location of WWII Shipwrecks in the Pacific SPREP GIS Database

40. 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

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

42. 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

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

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

45. Any Questions ?