USS Kiska; 15 miles southwest of the Farallons Islands

15 miles southwest of the Farallons Islands | 1992-Jan-10

Initial Notification: On January 10, 1992, the USS Kiska, a U. S. Navy (USN) ammunition ship, intentionally discharged 900 gallons of oily water waste and lubricating oil to avoid a fire hazard. The hazard was caused when a flange on a lubricating oil pump failed, spilling several hundred gallons of lube oil into the bilges. The accident occurred 15 nautical miles southwest of the Gulf of the Farallons National Marine Sanctuary. At the time of the spill, the winds were out of the northwest at 20 to 30 knots. The oil was not expected to reach land. The USN contacted the National Response Center, which in turn contacted U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Safety Office (MSO) San Francisco. The USCG conducted overflight operations but observed no oil. The case was closed on January 11, 1992. USCG district 11. Keyword: Gulf of the Farallons National Marine Sanctuary.