La Moure County; Chile

Chile | 2000-Sep-15

Initial Notification: At 0530 on the morning of 12 September 2000 the USNavy LST La Moure County struck a submerged rock near Pta Artigas, Bahia Lavata, Chile. This Bay is near the village of Cifuncho. An unknown volume of fuel was released at the grounding site and subsequent anchorages in the small bay near the village of Cifuncho. The area is locally defined as Bahia Lavata. The initial estimate was 40,000 gallons spilled, but it was later determined that a larger volume had been lost. The best "guess" is between 80,000 and 120,000 gallons of fuel. While marine diesel (DFM F-76) was the dominant product spilled, several of the damaged compartments also carried JP-5 and mogas (gasoline). NOAA had two scientists on-scene to assist the US Navy in developing a proactive response strategy.