Automatic source timelineApra Harbor, GuamTimeline updated 18 Sept 2026

M/V Katarina; Apra Harbor, Guam

NOAA initial notification: “USCG Sector Guam contacted the NOAA SSC the night of August 20 (U.S Mainland, August 21 in Guam) to request recommendation of a safe buffer distance for a methyl bromide fumigation operation scheduled to begin in Apra Harbor within a few hours. A Korean cargo shipment of gravel […]”[1]

Latest included source report

Posted 28 Aug 2009

Latest source report

“NOAA ERD has continued to provide safety zone and worker safety gear guidance on a daily and nightly basis as the aggregate cargo on the M/V Katrina has been treated with methyl bromide fumigant and vented and as complex venting options were developed and considered. The vessel owner yesterday hired an IH to provide guidance on-scene. Today the Guam EPA rejected the shipment […]” Current outcome is not independently verified by seahazards.[3]

NOAA report chronology

3 dated source records · 20 Aug 2009 to 28 Aug 2009
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NOAA incident record opened

Initial notification excerpt: “USCG Sector Guam contacted the NOAA SSC the night of August 20 (U.S Mainland, August 21 in Guam) to request recommendation of a safe buffer distance for a methyl bromide fumigation operation scheduled to begin in Apra Harbor within a few hours. A Korean cargo shipment of gravel will be fumigated with methyl bromide due to detection of Salmonella by Guam EPA. A total of 750 pounds of liquid methyl bromide will be applied from 15 50-lb cylinders into 5 cargo holds (one measuring 5 meters depth x 20m x 20m, and 4 measuring 5m depth x 20m x 8m, with an application target of 3 lbs/1000 cubic feet). The fumigation will require 36 hours holding time followed by 4 hours to vent.”

NOAA approximate incident area; not a vessel track

Initial incident area only. Dates are NOAA postings, not a vessel track. Playback advances every 5 seconds.

Milestone 1 of 3: 20 Aug 2009. NOAA incident record opened. NOAA approximate incident area; not a vessel track

  1. NOAA incident record opened

    Initial notification excerpt: “USCG Sector Guam contacted the NOAA SSC the night of August 20 (U.S Mainland, August 21 in Guam) to request recommendation of a safe buffer distance for a methyl bromide fumigation operation scheduled to begin in Apra Harbor within a few hours. A Korean cargo shipment of gravel will be fumigated with methyl bromide due to detection of Salmonella by Guam EPA. A total of 750 pounds of liquid methyl bromide will be applied from 15 50-lb cylinders into 5 cargo holds (one measuring 5 meters depth x 20m x 20m, and 4 measuring 5m depth x 20m x 8m, with an application target of 3 lbs/1000 cubic feet). The fumigation will require 36 hours holding time followed by 4 hours to vent.”

    NOAA approximate incident area; not a vessel track (13.453°, 144.645°)

  2. Initial Report

    Source report excerpt: “USCG Sector Guam contacted the NOAA SSC the night of August 20 (in Seattle, August 21 in Guam) to request recommendation of a safe buffer distance for a methyl bromide fumigation operations scheduled to begin in Apra Harbor within a few hours. A Korean cargo shipment of gravel is schedule to be fumigated with methyl bromide due to detection of Salmonella by Guam EPA. A total of 750 pounds of liquid methyl bromide will be applied from 15 50-lb cylinders into 5 cargo holds (one measuring 5 meters depth x 20m x 20m, and 4 measuring 5m depth x 20m x 8m, with an application target of 3 lbs/1000 cubic feet. The fumigation will require 36 hours holding time followed by 4 hours to vent. After […]”

  3. Situation Update 8/26

    Source report excerpt: “NOAA ERD has continued to provide safety zone and worker safety gear guidance on a daily and nightly basis as the aggregate cargo on the M/V Katrina has been treated with methyl bromide fumigant and vented and as complex venting options were developed and considered. The vessel owner yesterday hired an IH to provide guidance on-scene. Today the Guam EPA rejected the shipment based on positive tests for E. Coli contamination upon retesting after methyl bromide treatment. Currently a plan is being considered to move the vessel to Saipan, where the cargo will be treated with a chlorine solution prior to return to Guam for cargo delivery. Contaminated waste-water would be retained for transfer […]”

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Details in the record

Source record
NOAA IncidentNews 8076[1]
Dated source updates
2[2][3]

Reading this account

Automatically assembled from NOAA's incident record and substantive Public Affairs or Situation Update posts. Dates are NOAA posting dates, which can differ from when events happened or original reports were published. Excerpts retain the source's wording and uncertainty. This account does not independently establish the cause, current outcome or safety of the area. NOAA coverage is selective; missing updates do not mean nothing happened. The map shows one approximate incident area, not a vessel track.

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Original sources

Timeline updated 18 Sept 2026. New reports and changes to this NOAA incident are incorporated automatically; this is not a live incident feed.

  1. 1.M/V Katarina; Apra Harbor, GuamNOAA Office of Response and Restoration · 20 Aug 2009
  2. 2.Initial ReportNOAA IncidentNews · source report archive · 21 Aug 2009
  3. 3.Situation Update 8/26NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive · 28 Aug 2009

Related records in our archive

Original source text, preserved separately from this account.

NOAAORR-8076 NOAA response record
M/V Katarina; Apra Harbor, Guam.
Apra Harbor, Guam.
1. USCG Sector Guam contacted the NOAA SSC the night of August 20 (U.S Mainland, August 21 in Guam) to request recommendation of a safe buffer distance for a methyl bromide fumigation operation scheduled to begin in Apra Harbor within a few hours. A Korean cargo shipment of gravel will be fumigated with methyl bromide due to detection of Salmonella by Guam EPA. A total of 750 pounds of liquid methyl bromide will be applied from 15 50-lb cylinders into 5 cargo holds (one measuring 5 meters depth x 20m x 20m, and 4 measuring 5m depth x 20m x 8m, with an application target of 3 lbs/1000 cubic feet). The fumigation will require 36 hours holding time followed by 4 hours to vent.
2. THREAT: CHEMICAL. COMMODITY: METHYL BROMIDE FUMIGANT.
3. POSITION 13.453N 144.645E. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 8076: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/8076
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