C/V Teval; Ambrose Light Anchorage

Ambrose Light Anchorage | 1997-Nov-14

Initial Notification: NOAA was notified of this incident on November 14, 1997, by ACT NY who asked the Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) for chemical-specific information on the potential hazards and detection methods for methyl bromide. The SSC reported that the chemical is heavier than air as a gas and heavier than water as a liquid. The boiling point is 38?F. This meant that as the night temperatures decreased, the chemical could be a liquid and as the temperature increased during the day it could turn into a gas. The methods for detection identified were three different Dr‰ger-Tubes that could measure methyl bromide at different concentration ranges and cross sensitivities. The SSC informed ACT NY that the two suits of protective clothing tested (PTFE Teflon and Saranex 23P) rated at less than 1-hour breakthrough time. All suspicious containers onboard C/V Teval were tested and inspected by the responsible party's (RPs) chemical sampling team at the anchorage. The ship was allowed to continue her sail to the port of Elizabeth, New Jersey where she was off-loaded, re-checked, re-loaded, and sailed on to Charleston, South Carolina. No chemical contamination was found. USCG district 1. Keyword: none.