T/V Asphalt Victory; South of Montauk Point, NY

South of Montauk Point, NY | 2003-May-12

Initial Notification: On 12 May 2003 Marine Safety Office (MSO) Long Island Sound (LIS) was notified by MSO Providence that the T/V Asphalt Victory had an explosion on deck and spilled an unknown amount of asphalt. The explosion caused a 3-foot by 3-foot hole in the main deck. The potential amount reported was 80,000 barrels. The product is an Industrial Asphalt Roofer's Flux, with a specific gravity of 1.018. It is insoluble in water. It is expected to float in seawater. At the time of the explosion the vessel was located at 41 degrees 12 minutes N; 71 degrees 51 minutes W; approximately 50 miles south of Montauk Point, NY. The weather on-scene was winds expected from the south at 10 knots shifting to the west at 20-25 knots by the late afternoon hours. After about an hour the ship reported that the actual amount released to the sea by the explosion was about two gallons. The USCG requested weather and a forecast for the movement any possible floating product released by the ship. No response was mounted.