M/V Citrus; St. Paul Island, Alaska

St. Paul Island, Alaska | 1996-Feb-16

Initial Notification: On February 17, 1996, the USCG began receiving reports of hundreds of oiled birds coming ashore on the northeast point of St. Paul Island. Most of the affected birds were king eiders; however, some oldsquaw ducks, guillemots, thick-billed murres, and crested auklets were also affected. Most of the birds found were carcasses being scavenged by bulls and Arctic foxes, but some living birds were also found. A spill source was not immediately evident and the USCG conducted a C-130 overflight in the area with negative results. Early beach surveys detected no sheens, oil, or tarballs. On February 20, the USCG sent out two pollution investigators and one USFWS biologist to further evaluate the situation. USCG district 17. Keyword: IBRRC.