Hess Oil Refinery; Limetree Bay, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

Limetree Bay, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands | 1989-Sep-22

Initial Notification: On September 18, 1989, Hurricane Hugo hit the island of St. Croix with winds in excess of 140 miles per hour, severely damaging the Hess Oil Refinery in Limetree Bay, on the island's south coast. Twelve tanks were damaged; three of the twelve ruptured, spilling oil into their containment areas. Some number 6 fuel oil leaked into the north end of Limetree Bay in the Hess pier area, where it was held in by the weather conditions. Hess discovered the spill immediately after the passage of the hurricane. They responded with containment boom and recovery equipment. USCG district 7.