Blue Master; Galveston, Texas

Galveston, Texas | 1999-Aug-27

Initial Notification: On August 27, 1999, there was a collision between a freighter and shrimp boat 30 miles south-southeast of Galveston, Texas. The freighter Blue Master suffered two gashes 1 and 2 meters above the waterline and along a tank containing IFO 180 (a bunker-type fuel oil). Oil was in the water. Initial estimates of the volume released ranged between 50 and 315 barrels (110 barrels was the final estimate). Given the persistence of heavy fuel oil, the threat to coastal resources, and the potential for shoreline oiling, dispersants were considered. After an afternoon overflight, more oil was discovered. Based on this and previous observations it was decided to use dispersants. At approximately 1830, a DC-4 arrived and sprayed dispersant on the 3-nm by 5-m oil slick. A total of 700 gallons of Corexit 9500 was applied to the slick. An overflight August 30 showed a 4-mile long sheen, still 30 miles offshore. Observation conditions were good light and absolutely calm seas. No black oil was visible, only sheen. Visually it was difficult to determine efficacy (proof of action) because there was very little surface mixing energy, the rate of dispersion was predictably slow. Tarballs were still a threat to the shoreline, but not for several days. Special Monitoring of Advanced Response Technologies (SMART) was not deployed since it was logistically impossible to get the team on-scene in time USCG district 8. Keyword: dispersant, Corexit 9500.