Accidental Discharge from Vessel, Offshore Northeastern U.S./Canada

Boston Harbor | 2023-Mar-16

Initial Notification: At 0948 EDT on March 16 the NOAA SSC was notified by USCG District 1 that there may be a need to convene RRT1 to consider the use of a surface washing agent on a vessel that had an accidental discharge in international waters. The M/T MARE SICULUM reported to the Canadian Coast Guard they had accidentally discharged approximately 2 barrels of fuel oil from the fuel oil system vent piping while the ship was in a heavy storm (seas were 9 meters) off the coast of Newfoundland. The ship is NOT loaded with cargo, it is in ballast. The fuel was spilled on the ship’s deck and has stained the side of the hull.