Barge RTC380; Avery Point, CT

Avery Point, CT | 1992-Dec-21

Initial Notification: NOAA was notified of this incident at 0915 on December 21, 1992, and reported onscene at 1300 after receiving an initial briefing by telephone. The SSC provided trajectory assessments, tide information, and daily weather forecasts. The SSC advised that priority protection should be given to areas of restricted flow and low energy if the oil moves toward them. NOAA also reported the long-term impacts to natural resources that might be expected. The SSC participated in two overflights, produced several overflight maps, and provided graphic representation of oil fate and weather effects (evaporation). NOAA told responders that the cold air and water temperatures could cause the spilled diesel to persist longer on the water's surface resulting in higher potential for dissolution and dispersion of lighter fractions into the water column. Should a plume of dispersed/dissolved oil enter shallow embayments and river mouths, it could penetrate sediment and damage salt-marsh vegetation. NOAA was onscene for three days. USCG district 1. Keyword: evaporation, exposed rocky shores, ground truth, salvage, skimmers, sorbent boom, and sorbent pompoms.