T/V KRYMSK Oil Spill; Gulf of Mexico, Galveston Lightering Zone

Source report excerpt: “At 1014 hrs (local time) the Regional NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator was notified by USCG Marine Safety Unit Galveston of an oil spill in the Galveston Lightering Zone. The initial details are sketchy, but oil is reported spilling into the Gulf of Mexico from a holed tanker. The initial report stated that bunker fuel was being released from the Tanker Vessel KRYMSK and the release was not secure (at least at the time of the report). Both the volume spilled and potential are unknown at present. NOAA has initially been requested to provide a trajectory analysis. The reported position of the incident was 28° 37’ N Lat. 094° 32’ W Long. This position places the vessel offshore and […]”

Source report excerpt: “USCG reports a current loss of roughly 17,000 to 18,000 gallons of oil to the sea; internal transfers are continuing. The ship’s master reports the leak has slowed to a drip and the vessel has a 6 degree list to starboard. Airborne Support has been contracted to deploy dispersants in the morning. A spotter aircraft is scheduled to depart Houma with Gulf Strike Team (SMART) members soon after first light. A dispersants plan is being developed and an RRT conference call is scheduled for 0715 hrs today. Relatively high winds may impact all morning operations.”

Source report excerpt: “The RRT has provided concurrence to the FOSC to use dispersants if suitable oil is observed during the morning overflight. The high sea-state, warm water temperatures, and a higher DOR (if two passes could be made) provide a reasonable argument for dispersant effectiveness and argue also for a quick response since wind and heavy seas will also weather the residual fuel oil reducing potential effectiveness. The seas are currently 4 to 6 feet and are not expected to lessen through the week. On-water recovery operations are not possible. While we are at the limit of dispersant operational limits as defined by the RRT Pre-Authorization Guidelines due to wind speeds reported between 10 and 25 […]”

Source report excerpt: “The volume released estimated has been decreased to an estimated 13,600 gallons of heavy fuel oil spilled. The source is currently secured by the transfer operation. Dispersants were applied. At 1223 hrs, Airborne Support commenced deploying 1,000 gallons of COREXIT 9500 dispersants on the area of heaviest oiling offshore. Dispersant operations are now complete for this phase of the response. Several passes were made over the area of heaviest oiling and dispersants were also applied to the areas of fringe sheening. Observers report the dispersants appear to have been “somewhat”effective (milky emulsion observed). This is a preliminary report from the USCG we anticipate receiving an […]”

Source report excerpt: “The SMART observers stated that there was a visible positive affect from the dispersant treatment. Just how much oil was dispersed is unknown. Heavy weather prohibited a second dispersant sortie yesterday afternoon. The USCG has a fixed-wing overflight scheduled, but weather is delaying the overflight. NOAA is awaiting the morning overflight to update trajectories and assess the fate of residual oil from the spill.”

Source report excerpt: “The morning overflights were cancelled due to poor weather. Three afternoon overflight indicted no visible oil; fourth flight observed oil off Freeport Texas (within the location predicted by the trajectory analysis). An additional flight has been sent to delineate the observed oil and take pictures. The NOAA trajectory (coordinated with TGLO’s Scientific Support Coordinator) does not project shoreline impacts within the next 36-48 hrs because of a predicted shift in wind direction. USCG has demobilizing the dispersant aircraft and NRC Admiral. The temporary patch on the vessel is complete. USCG anticipates the T/V KRYMSK will transit to Sabine Pass in the morning for offload operations.”

Source report excerpt: “The USCG will conduct another overflight in the morning to assess the position and characteristics of the oil slick. The posted updated trajectory (22 Oct. PM) should hold true, but there is an expected shift in the longshore current that could have an effect on the transport of the residual oil. NOAA and TGLO will be watching this closely (Buzz Martin, TGLO, has provided excellent insight into the coastal current behavior). NOAA continues to provide the USCG support relative to weather, trajectory analysis, and general response consultation as the lead science advisor to the FOSC.”

Source report excerpt: “On Friday, 23 Oct. 2009, a limited dispersant application was applied to the residual slick to assess potential for mitigation. The dispersants were not effective, and a decision was made to not continue any dispersant testing. The NOAA SSC was requested to write an assessment for this decision reflecting the points made during the discussion. A sample of the collected treated oil was requested for scientific study. On-water recover continued and NOAA working with TGLO continue to update trajectory implications through the weekend. The scatter field of sheen, oil patties, and tarballs is expected to remain offshore through the foreseeable trajectory and weather forecast. On water recovery […]”