M/V Lavaux; Long Beach, California

Long Beach, California | 1991-Nov-28

Initial Notification: On the evening of November 28, 1991, the motor vessel Lavaux spilled approximately 30 barrels of #2 fuel oil into Long Beach Harbor during a bunkering operation. The vessel's Master contacted the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Safety Office (MSO) Los Angeles/Long Beach. The Chief of Port Operations assumed the role of Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC). The shipping agent contracted Ship's Services to mitigate the spill. At the time of the spill winds were out of the east at 15 knots; seas, one to two feet. Ship's Services installed containment boom around the Lavaux, the barge Phoenix, and the nearby breakwater that leads out into open water (Queen's Gate) during the evening of November 28, 1991, and the early morning of the next day. Overflight operations the morning of November 29 showed that there was a large slick of rainbow sheen around the riprap and that some of the oil had escaped the harbor and was drifting to the west. Cleanup operations continued throughout the day. A boom watch was deployed at dusk. During the evening of November 29, 35- to 45-knot winds out of the east and seas up to four feet forced the contractor to abandon operations. A small boat survey of the area on the morning of November 30 revealed no oil. Ship's Services was directed to recover and secure the boom that had been blown onto the riprap during the evening. The case was closed on November 30, 1991. USCG district 11. Keyword: adverse weather conditions, boom, California Department of Fish and Game, containment boom, evaporation, International Bird Rescue and Research Center, sorbent boom.