Spills

Bouchard #65; buzzards bay, massachusetts coast

NOAAORR-6234

issued
1977-01-28 00:00Z
status
cancelled 1977-02-11 00:00Z
self-cancels
1977-02-11 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
North Atlantic Ocean
position
41.617, -70.683
vessel
BARGE BOUCHARD
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Bouchard #65; Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts coast.
Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts coast.
1. On the afternoon of January 28, 1977, the barge Bouchard #65 grounded in a water depth of 17 feet in the ice covered waters of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. The barge was carrying 76,191 barrels of Number 2 heating oil. The grounding ruptured four of the seven tanks, initially spilling 95 barrels of oil. The Bouchard #65 was towed 4 miles north to Wings Neck where it was grounded intentionally to prevent its sinking and the further release of oil. On the morning of January 29, the Bouchard #85 arrived to begin offloading the oil remaining on the barge. Later that day the Atlantic Strike Team (AST) arrived to assist in the offloading operations. The Bouchard #65 continued to leak oil during the tow to Wings Neck and during lightering operations. The barge was then towed to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy on January 29 where offloading operations continued. On January 30, the barge was [...]
2. COMMODITY: NUMBER 2 HOME HEATING OIL. MAXIMUM POTENTIAL RELEASE: 3990 GALLONS.
3. POSITION 41.617N 070.683W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 6234: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/6234

This area · spills & pollution incidents

517 within 180 nm since 1972 · 11 in the last 12 months · 0 in force now

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Spills

Oil and chemical spills, groundings and vessel casualties with a pollution threat: NOAA IncidentNews responses since 1957, and spill-response areas broadcast as navigational warnings. All current spills & pollution incidents

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