Containership Newark Bay; Charleston, SC

Charleston, SC | 1993-Aug-11

Initial Notification: Early on the morning of 11 August, a vapor cloud was observed coming from the deck of the 931 foot Container Vessel Newark Bay moored at the Columbus Street Terminal in the Port of Charleston, South Carolina. The Coast Guard established a 1500 yard evacuation zone around the vessel. The source of the vapor cloud could be from one or both of two intermodal tanks of 5000 gallons each. The first contains acetaldehyde oxime (CAS 107-29-9) and the second chloroacetic acid (CAS 79-11-8). The two intermodal tanks are stacked one on the other, but it is not known which is on top. Either chemical could have caused the vapor cloud. At 1025 EST, Charleston Fire Department personnel in level A protection, viewed the deck of the ship from a nearby crane. No vapor cloud was observed and it appeared that the two tanks were not leaking. Current on-scene wind is from 050 at 3 knots. Forecast wind is 090 at 10 knots. NOAA SSC Ed Levine consulted with Louisiana State University, CHEMTREC, and MASS (NOAA Seattle) concerning reactivity of the chemicals. The consensus is that in proper proportions, the two chemicals could react violently. The chloroacetic acid is heated during transport (freezing point is 143 degrees F). Charleston Fire Department personnel are presently on the deck of the vessel. USCG district 7.