Ballast Water Tank Contaminated with Acetic Acid, Galveston, TX
Galveston, TX | 2022-Mar-07
Initial Notification: On March 7, 2022, the USCG Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Texas City contacted the NOAA SSC regarding the potential ecological impacts of allowing the discharge of ballast water contaminated with acetic acid offshore of Galveston, Texas. T/V Orchid Madeira experienced a loss of cargo hold integrity, allowing ~8,000 gallons of glacial acetic acid into a ballast water tank. On-site marine chemist advised an over-the-top transfer would exceed IDHL. The alternative proposed is to discharge contaminated ballast water 12 miles offshore while underway at 7 knots. Phone support provided.
Incident Details
| Primary threat: | Chemical |
| Products of concern: | Glacial Acetic Acid |
| Total amount at risk of spill: | 8,000 gallons |
| Latitude (approximate): | 29° 18.48′ North |
| Longitude (approximate): | 94° 48.18′ West |