F/V Westwind III; 26 miles Offshore Tampa, FL

26 miles Offshore Tampa, FL | 2005-Feb-02

Initial Notification: USCG MSOTampa requested trajectory for a potential spill from a fishing vessel at 0900 2 February 2005. The vessel is the Westwind III, a 68.8 foot, 127 gross ton fiberglass hull fishing vessel that caught fire 1 Febuary at 2100 local at position 27-24.8 N; 083-12.8 W. The crew was evacuated and the vessel continued to burn as it drifted freely. At 0800 local 2 February the vessel was at position 27-24.1N; 083-19.7W and at 1000 local a Coast Guard C-130 aircraft overflew the area and noted the position as 27-23.8N; 083-21.4W. The vessel was still burning (smoldering) and continuing to drift. No pollution was observed. The vessel has a capacity for 9000 gallons of diesel fuel, but the amount of fuel onboard at the time of the fire was not initially known. NOAA Hazmat provided the COTP with a weather forecast for the area as well as spill trajectory and oil fate information. During the afternoon of 2 February, MSO Tampa had discussions with the vessel operator, who said the vessel had only 1000 gallons or less fuel onboard at the time the fire started. Given the small amount of diesel and distance offshore, the MSO ceased further actions or monitoring of this case. Coast Guard District 7 office followed up with discussions between the owner/operator and the vessel's insurance company to insure proper handling and salvage of the boat remains.