F/V Adriatic Sea; American Samoa

American Samoa | 1998-Jan-25

Initial Notification: On January 23, 1998, the port propeller shaft assembly popped out of the F/V ADRIATIC SEA. The vessel began taking on water and eventually sank 90 nm north of American Samoa. The crew abandoned ship and were observed safe in life boats by a C130 aircraft sent to assess the situation. A total of 200 metric tons or approximately 118,000 gallons of diesel was on board the vessel carried in 4 cargo holds, as well as an unknown quantity in the vessels fuel tanks. When the vessel sank, the entire 200 metric tons from the cargo holds was released. On scene weather was reported to be calm seas and wind, with a 4 foot sea swell. A weather front was expected to move through the area within the next 24 hours. The NOAA SSC was contacted at 1830 on January 23 and provided spill trajectory and expected fate/behavior of the oil. The following assumptions were made: On January 23, the 200 ft fishing vessel ADRIATIC SEA sank approximately 90 nm north of American Samoa (12-46.9 S and 170-34.9 W). After interviewing the crew, the fuel on board was reported to be approximately 220,000 gallons (vice 118,000) of diesel in four fishing holds and an unknown quantity in vessel fuel tanks. Catastrophic release of the diesel from the four fishing holds occurred when the vessel sank. On scene weather reported by C130 pilot overhead after the sinking was calm winds and seas with a 4 ft swell. This weather has continued throughout January 24. The equatorial current moves westerly at approximately 1 knot. Trade winds are normally out of the SE 10-20 knots. USCG district 1.