Sabine Block 13; Off Sabine Pass, TX

Source report excerpt: “An overflight was conducted at 1430 local time. They saw a sheen originating at 29° 34' 42" N 093° 49' 31.8" W and extending 1.5 miles to the NW broken up into 4-5 spots. There are some black streaks still remaining in the sheen. The main work right now is locating the source of the sheen. A pipeline in the area has been shut down and divers will check it tomorrow. There are dredging operations in the area that are being investigated, also. Another overflight will be conducted tomorrow.”

Source report excerpt: “This afternoon's conference call was cancelled due to the fact that they now believe they may be dealing with a sunken vessel. No details have been given at this time, but updates will be posted as information becomes available.”

Source report excerpt: “The USCG has discovered that in the immediate vicinity of this persistent sheen is a sunken liberty class vessel, the SS William Beaumont. This ship was scrapped/sunk by the US Navy in 1971 and may be the source of the on-going sheen. The USCG MSU Port Arthur is investigating the history of the ship and will put divers down on the wreck to search for the sheen source. NOAA will provide any information possible to assist in this investigation. Updates will be provided as they become available.”

Source report excerpt: “Date: Sept 3, 2009 To: NOAA SSC Mary Barber FROM: NOAA/Hazardous Materials Response Division Modeling and Simulation Studies, Seattle, WA 98115 SUBJECT: 1 mile slick off Texas Pt. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Glen Watabayashi, MODELING AND SIMULATION STUDIES, NOAA, SEATTLE, WA 98115. (206) 526-4911. _______________________________________________________ The reported scenario: A 1 mile sheen estimated at 20 gallons is being reported off Texas Pt. See attached map. The source is believed to be a 1971 wreck. The wreck has been leaking oil for at least the last few weeks. If any of this initial information is incorrect, please let us know ASAP as it would affect any trajectory […]”

Source report excerpt: “At 1100 local time, 22 Aug 2009, the HDO notified the SSC of a sheen reported by USCG MSU Port Arthur, TX. The sheen was originally reported yesterday, but the USCG sent an overflight on the morning of 22Aug09 to investigate. The USCG overflight reported a silver sheen with black streaks 1-3 feet in length every 20-50 feet. The sheen's leading and trailing edges were reported at 29° 34.378'N by 093 49.141'W and 29° 29.894'N by 093° 45.801'W. This puts the sheen approximately 6nm from Texas Point which is the entrance to Sabine Pass. A trajectory and weather was requested.”

Source report excerpt: “A conference call with the Unified Command took place this morning to update everyone and discuss planning. Divers have been drilling the holding tanks from schematics provided by the SS Jeremiah O'Brien in San Francisco, CA. They have been taking syringe samples from each of the tanks to identify any remaining product left onboard, then plugging the holes. Unfortunately, visibility in the area is poor and would not allow anyone to "see" where the leak is coming from. If a large enough amount of product is found, procedures to remove the product from the ship are now being devised. Additional updates will be provided as they become available.”

Source report excerpt: “The USCG ask that we refer to this case as Sabine Block 13 (not the SS Beaumont) on all correspondence - first not to confuse matters, but also as this has become very sensitive with MARAD Headquarters, and until definitive evidence is acquired it would be best if we don't make any assumption about the name or ownership of the vessel. Therefore, the name of this incident will be Sabine Block 13.”