Crystal Ocean Cold Storage; Astoria, Oregon

Astoria, Oregon | 1997-Sep-28

Initial Notification: At approximately 2255, September 28, 1997, the USCG MSO in Portland, Oregon was notified of an ammonia release from the Crystal Ocean Cold Storage facility in Astoria, Oregon (River Mile 15 on the Columbia River). The release occurred when an estimated 50- by 100-foot section of the wharf supporting the cold storage plant collapsed. The Astoria Fire Boat reported sighting an ammonia plume on the Columbia River near the plant. At 2310 the MSO was notified that the main ammonia storage tanks had been secured by the Astoria Fire Department. An estimated 1,600 gallons of anhydrous ammonia were released from a high-pressure line in the refrigeration system. It was initially reported that an additional 7,000 to 10,000 gallons of anhydrous ammonia were believed to still be in the plant storage tanks. It was later determined that the ammonia storage was not in the part of the plant building impacted by the collapsing wharf. Weather on-scene was calm with 62°F air temperature and intermittent mist on the water surface. Later, light east-northeast winds of 5 knots developed and started moving the ammonia plume downwind. USCG district 13.