Tank Barge Energy 5501; Long Island Sound, CT

Long Island Sound, CT | 2003-Feb-14

Initial Notification: The NOAA SSC was notified by the Hazmat Duty Officer on Friday morning (2/14) at approximately 0630 concerning the grounding of the T/B Energy 5501 about 2 miles south of Norwalk, CT. The USCG requested the SSC on scene. The Initially, it was unknown how much home heating oil was lose from the barge. The barge was loaded with 56,000 barrels (2,352,000 gallons) and had a draft of 17.9 feet. It struck a rock charted at 18 feet mean low water. Due to the stage of the moon, falling tide, and offshore winds the water depth over the rock was minimal. The tug was hugging the CT coast to stay in the lee of winds from the NW as it headed to its destination in Port Jefferson, NY. The barge was taken to a nearby location (41deg 02.6 N / 73deg 22.053 W) and anchored. The NOAA Scientific Support Team provided the USCG initial trajectory and oil weathering information, weather, tides, and resources at risk summary. At about 0800 the CT Department of Aquaculture closed the shellfish beds in all waters in the Norwalk, Darien, and Westport area until further notice. The divers survey discovered 14 cracks and holes in all six starboard tank bottoms. The original estimate of cargo loss by the naval architect was 450 barrels (18,900 gallons). Two morning overflights (0900 and 1200) by USCG personnel spotted an oil slick extending several miles from the barge. A relief barge arrived along side the holed barge at about 1400. At 1600 the SSC, RP rep and USCG FOSC went on an overflight in a helicopter. A sheen consisting of light rainbow to silver and gray was observed several miles from the barge. It measured about 3.5 miles long by 200 yards wide at the leading edge and 600 yards wide at the trailing end. The rest of LI Sound was search and not other oil was located. The overflight also mapped locations of ice along the LI coastline. A new trajectory model was developed based on the GPS positions of the slick. With the updated oil trajectory model showing land impacts on the northern Long Island coast plans were made to pre-position protective boom as several location near identified sensitive areas. By the evening meeting at 1800 the revised estimate of lost oil was downgraded to about 53 barrels (2,226 gallons). This estimate was within the range of oil observed on the afternoon overflight. Plans were made to begin over-the-top lightering operation during the first night, but due to logistics and operational constraints they were unable to begin until later the morning of the 15th. On 2/15 the morning overflight only spotted one small streamer of light silver and gray sheen within the area predicted by the trajectory model. The stern starboard quarter of the barge was seen to be awash. No oil was observed near the barge or anywhere near the LI coast. Almost all of the oil had evaporated and naturally dispersed. The NOAA modelers were requested to provide a ?Worst Case Discharge" trajectory for a possible release from the barge on Saturday evening or Sunday morning. The new model indicated potential land impacts on LI more westerly than the oil that was initially released. Based on the updated weather forecasts for significantly worsening weather, the Unified Command decided to move the barge into Bridgeport harbor for safe haven to make temporary repairs and off-load the cargo. At present, as of 1800 this evening (2/15) the barge is in route to Bridgeport. Travel time is anticipated to be about 5 hours at two knots. Contingency plans are prepared for the possibility of spills while enroute or in Bridgeport harbor.