Potential Diesel Spill from Tank Barge under Tow offshore Eureka, CA

offshore Eureka, CA | 2022-Jun-20

Initial Notification: On the evening of 20-JUN-2022, USCG Sector San Francisco contacted their NOAA SSC to discuss a potential diesel spill from the tank barge MONTEREY towed by the Tug APACHE. Reportedly, the aft portion of the MONTEREY contacted the entrance channel jetty as the tug & barge were departing Humboldt Bay, CA for Coos Bay, OR. The barge is carrying 40,000 bbls of diesel, and is holding station roughly 14NM NW of the Eureka entrance buoy with no indications of a release at this time. As local weather deteriorates, re-entering Humboldt Bay may pose some risk, so USCG is requesting fate & trajectory information to support COTP decision regarding tug & barge transit options.