F/V TINA RAY; Diamond Shoals, Cape Hateras, NC

Diamond Shoals, Cape Hateras, NC | 2009-Jul-21

Initial Notification: On 7/21/09 USCG Sector North Carolina notified the NOAA SSC about a vessel sinking offshore of Diamond Shoals, Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The F/V TINA RAY, a 76 foot long wooden vessel carrying approximately 1600 gallons of #2 diesel fuel collided with the R/V LOCURA, a 33 foot sailboat. Fuel on-board sailboat is unknown. Location was approximately 10nmi offshore. USCG reported a sheen about one mile long by 1/2 mile wide. USCG requested verbal trajectory. Based on NE currents (1-2 knots) and SW winds (5-7 knots) the sheen was moving in a NE direction away from shore. Based on 80 degree water temps and 90 degrees air temps, SSC expected sheen to dissipate within 12-24 hours depending upon rate of discharge of diesel fuel from fuel tanks. Sailboat involved in incident was secured and towed to shore. A vessel is enroute to salvage the F/V TINA RAY which sank.