MV Faro I; Cape Florida, FL

Cape Florida, FL | 2002-Mar-07

Initial Notification: The M/V Faro, a 180 foot freighter grounded 6 March, 2002 at approximately 1530 EST during high tide. The grounded position is 25-40 N; and 80-08W; approximately one mile east of the Cape Florida Lighthouse on Key Biscayne, FL. Water depth at this location is 3-4 feet. The vessel has 6,500 gallons of diesel aboard. One of the vessel's anchors is lost and the other was reported frozen and inoperable. During the evening, the Coast Guard discovered that sea water and oil had entered the ship's cargo hold, but no sheen was visible in the water near the vessel. The ship was ballasted to reduce movement and damage overnight. A weather forecast was provided to the Miami Marine Safety Office that indicated onshore winds through the weekend with a significant velocity increase on Sunday, 10 March. An initial trajectory analysis indicated that any release of oil would likely move toward shore to the west fairly quickly ; within 2-3 hours. If all 6500 gallons of oil were released, it would likely create a sheen visible for 2-3 miles which would spread towards the west. Shoreline staining from the diesel would not be likely beyond 2 miles from the point of release. Oiled debris, seagrass and sargasm may need to be cleaned from the beach. With diesel, localized and short term toxic effects would be of concern. USCG district 7.