Automatic source timelineOffshore LA/TXTimeline updated 24 Sept 2026

Tanker Eltanin; Offshore LA/TX

NOAA initial notification: “On March 1, 2009, OR&R was notified of a 614ft-tanker that grounded @ approximately 0400 local time 12nm offshore off of Sabine Pass. The tanker is carrying 112,330 gallons of fuel oil, 44,859 metric tons of molten sulfur, and 4500 gallons of diesel fuel. Recovery planning is […]”[1]

Follow the timeline Latest included source reportOriginal sources (8)

Latest included source report

Posted 12 Mar 2009

Latest source report

“On the morning of 12MAR09, T/V Eltanin refloated with no pollution and is headed to the offshore reload area to reload the prilled sulfur and continue to it's port of call. USCG considers this case closed.” Current outcome is not independently verified by seahazards.[8]

NOAA report chronology

8 dated source records · 1 Mar 2009 to 12 Mar 2009
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NOAA incident record opened

Initial notification excerpt: “On March 1, 2009, OR&R was notified of a 614ft-tanker that grounded @ approximately 0400 local time 12nm offshore off of Sabine Pass. The tanker is carrying 112,330 gallons of fuel oil, 44,859 metric tons of molten sulfur, and 4500 gallons of diesel fuel. Recovery planning is now underway with the USCG and RP. Through the local Science Support Coordinator, NOAA provided trajectory and weather support. (photo courtesy of USCG)”

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 8: 1 Mar 2009. NOAA incident record opened. NOAA approximate incident area; not a vessel track

  1. NOAA incident record opened

    Initial notification excerpt: “On March 1, 2009, OR&R was notified of a 614ft-tanker that grounded @ approximately 0400 local time 12nm offshore off of Sabine Pass. The tanker is carrying 112,330 gallons of fuel oil, 44,859 metric tons of molten sulfur, and 4500 gallons of diesel fuel. Recovery planning is now underway with the USCG and RP. Through the local Science Support Coordinator, NOAA provided trajectory and weather support. (photo courtesy of USCG)”

    NOAA approximate incident area; not a vessel track (29.480°, -93.832°)

    NOAA Office of Response and Restoration

  2. Update

    Source report excerpt: “At 1430 local time, the USCG updated the SSC with the following information. It is known that the ship is carrying heavy fuel oil. The size of the sulfur pellets(prilled sulfur) is unknown. As of 0930 this morning, one of two tugs sent to aide the vessel in distress was connected completely and powering at 20%. Further information is unknown at this time.”

    NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive

  3. Update

    Source report excerpt: “As of 1500 03MAR09, the two tugs sent to assist the tanker had no luck ungrounding it. The RP has planned to have a freight vessel by this weekend to offload product to help the tanker free itself. NWS is assisting the USCG with spot weather reports. No other products have been requested. There is no pollution threat at this time.”

    NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive

  4. Update

    Source report excerpt: “The Unified Command held a meeeting today, Thursday, 05MAR09 regarding the plan for removal of the Tanker Eltanin. There will be a freight ship brought in tomorrow to offload approximatley 12MT of prilled sulfur starting either Saturday afternoon or Sunday. The heavy fuel oil has been confirmed to be #6 fuel oil. Weather updates are being provided by the NWS Lake Charles. An updated trajectory for this weekend into early next week has been requested. Next UC meeting will be held Saturday morning, 07MAR09.”

    NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive

  5. Update

    Source report excerpt: “The RP started offloading prilled sulfur at 2100 last night (08MAR09 Sunday), by this morning (09MAR09 Monday) they had 1450 MT offloaded. They expect offloading will continue until Thursday. Next Unified Command Meeting is tomorrow, 10MAR09 @ 1000. Update on progress will be given at that time.”

    NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive

  6. Update

    Source report excerpt: “5300 MT of sulfur has been offloaded from holds 2 and 3 on the ELTANIN as of 0800 10MAR09. Lightering operations are anticipated to take place for two more full working days. Refloating operations are currently scheduled to take place on 13MAR09, pending weather. A cold front is expected to increase rain and thunderstorms in the area for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 12-14MAR09. The Unified Command will meet again prior to commencing refloat operations. O’Briens’ Group continues to monitor for pollution.”

    NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive

  7. Update

    Source report excerpt: “At 0650 11MAR09, Mr. Alan Sampson informed the watch that lightering operations for the M/V Eltanin have been completed. It is the intention of the master to de-ballast the vessel @ 0830 this morning, 11MAR09. Additional update will be posted shortly.”

    NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive

  8. Final Report

    Source report excerpt: “On the morning of 12MAR09, T/V Eltanin refloated with no pollution and is headed to the offshore reload area to reload the prilled sulfur and continue to it's port of call. USCG considers this case closed.”

    NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive
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Details in the record

Source record
NOAA IncidentNews 7985[1]
Dated source updates
7[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

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.

These are excerpts from the source, not independently verified conclusions. Publication order can differ from the sequence of events. Follow the source links for the complete reports.

Original sources

Timeline updated 24 Sept 2026. New reports and changes to this NOAA incident are incorporated automatically; this is not a live incident feed.

  1. 1.Tanker Eltanin; Offshore LA/TX ↗NOAA Office of Response and Restoration · 1 Mar 2009
  2. 2.Update ↗NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive · 2 Mar 2009
  3. 3.Update ↗NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive · 3 Mar 2009
  4. 4.Update ↗NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive · 5 Mar 2009
  5. 5.Update ↗NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive · 9 Mar 2009
  6. 6.Update ↗NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive · 10 Mar 2009
  7. 7.Update ↗NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive · 11 Mar 2009
  8. 8.Final Report ↗NOAA IncidentNews · source report archive · 12 Mar 2009

Related records in our archive

Original source text, preserved separately from this account.

NOAAORR-7985 NOAA response record
Tanker Eltanin; Offshore LA/TX.
Offshore LA/TX.
1. On March 1, 2009, OR&R was notified of a 614ft-tanker that grounded @ approximately 0400 local time 12nm offshore off of Sabine Pass. The tanker is carrying 112,330 gallons of fuel oil, 44,859 metric tons of molten sulfur, and 4500 gallons of diesel fuel. Recovery planning is now underway with the USCG and RP. Through the local Science Support Coordinator, NOAA provided trajectory and weather support. (photo courtesy of USCG)
2. THREAT: OIL. COMMODITY: FUEL OIL, MOLTEN SULFUR, DIESEL. TAGS: GROUNDING.
3. POSITION 29.480N 093.832W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 7985: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/7985
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