Mystery spill; Charleston Harbor, SC

Source report excerpt: “Thing to note is that Max Ebb was at 1306. So if spill occurred between 1300 and 1400 and CG boarded the vessel an hour or two later,the slick would have been long gone with the 3 knot ebb currents. Tidal Currents at CHARLESTON HARBOR (OFF FORT SUMTER), CHARLESTON HARBOR From Mon Oct 19, 2009 to Tue Oct 20, 2009 (2 days) Local Daylight Savings Time Date Time Max Vel(kt) Description ------------------------------------------------------- 10/19/2009 00:32 -2.6 Max Ebb Mon 03:32 +0.0 Min Before Flood 06:04 +1.9 Max Flood 09:57 +0.0 Min Before Ebb 13:06 -3.0 Max Ebb 16:08 +0.0 Min Before Flood 18:17 +1.7 Max Flood 21:56 +0.0 Min Before Ebb ------------------------------------------------------- […]”

Source report excerpt: “1135 AM USCG phoned to advise that multiple overflights have shown no further oil or sheens observed in the water and that beach surveys are indicating less oil on the beaches to the south. They feel that the south extent of impact has been observed and manual cleanup of shoreline tarballs will continue today to address any recoverable amounts of oil from the shore. Transiting vessels from the time of the release have been identified and USCG investigations plan to sample at least two vessels that may have been sources.”

Source report excerpt: “Coast Guard identifies responsible source for Charleston-area oil spill Nov 10th, 2009 by cgnews. CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Coast Guard identified a responsible source Tuesday for the oil spill that affected Charleston-area beaches with tar balls and oil debris beginning Oct. 20. Forensic oil pollution laboratory results, coupled with eye witness accounts, led Coast Guard investigators to conclude that the 600-foot cargo vessel John F is responsible for the spill. The John F’s owner was formally notified by the Coast Guard’s National Pollution Fund Center Thursday of possible liability for this incident. The master of the John F reported a 10-gallon oil spill to the National Response Center […]”