Lynn Canal Mystery Spill; Lynn Canal west of False Point Retreat, southeast Alaska

Lynn Canal west of False Point Retreat, southeast Alaska | 1994-May-19

Initial Notification: On the morning of May 19, 1994, a report came into MSO Juneau from commercial pilots of an oil slick in Lynn Canal near False Point Retreat. The estimated quantity was 100 to 300 gallons extending two miles and contacting the beach; no source was evident. The USCG Cutter Liberty was diverted to the scene to utilize as a platform for beach assessment and possible cleanup. Small boats from the cutter were deployed using sorbents to mop up some of the oil. A C-130 flight in the afternoon reported mostly small patches of weathered oil and sheen that was breaking up. Samples were taken of the oil slick and of several cruise ships that had transited the area during the past 24 hours. Beach contact was reported at Cordwood; however, a Shoreline Cleanup Advisory Team (SCAT) party organized the next day, with personnel from the USCG, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Forestry Service (the land manager), Alaska Department of Natural Resources, and a private consultant walked the beach and reported no impacted shorelines. Throughout the incident winds were from the south at 5 to 10 knots. Samples of the oil were sent to the USCG Central Oil Identification Laboratory (COIL) for analysis. USCG district 17. Keyword: none.