Spills

Wilkes ledge, buzzards bay, massachusetts

M/V Sun Bird; Wilkes Ledge, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts · NOAAORR-6295

issued
1985-10-30 00:00Z
status
cancelled 1985-11-13 00:00Z
self-cancels
1985-11-13 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
North Atlantic Ocean
position
41.617, -70.683
vessels
CARGO SHIP OUT OF TOKYOM/V SUN BIRD
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

M/V Sun Bird; Wilkes Ledge, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts.
Wilkes Ledge, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts.
1. At approximately 0830 on October 30, 1985, the M/V Sun Bird, a 310-foot general cargo ship out of Tokyo, Japan, grounded on Wilkes Ledge, a shoal two nautical miles due west of Mishaum Point, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. The vessel's momentum carried it off the shoal. It anchored nearby, where it was reported to be taking on water and releasing oil. A survey determined that damage was confined to the no. 3 central fuel tank and consisted of a 20-foot long by two-foot wide gash starboard of the keel. The no. 3 central tank was sounded and found to contain 17,000 gallons of water and 15,000 gallons of No. 4 fuel oil. Forty-five minutes after the spill, observers on a U.S. Coast Guard overflight reported a slick measuring 1,000 yards by 500 yards emanating from the vessel. USCG district 0.
2. COMMODITY: NO. 4 FUEL OIL. MAXIMUM POTENTIAL RELEASE: 2500 GALLONS.
3. POSITION 41.617N 070.683W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 6295: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/6295

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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Timeline · 20 messages since 1985-06-26 · closed 1986-01-05

  1. Spartina marsh asphalt spill; barnstable harbor, cape cod bay, ma1985-06-26 → 1985-07-10
  2. Buzzards bay, ma1985-07-12 → 1985-07-26
  3. Woods hole, ma1985-07-12 → 1985-07-26
  4. Buzzards bay, ma1985-07-13 → 1985-07-27
  5. Cuttyhunk island, ma1985-07-28 → 1985-08-11
  6. Fall river, ma1985-07-28 → 1985-08-11
  7. Watch pond, martha's vinyard, ny1985-07-31 → 1985-08-14
  8. Tanker lost 2 barrels; narragansett bay, ma1985-09-09 → 1985-09-23
  9. Aushnet river, ma1985-09-26 → 1985-10-10
  10. Wilkes ledge, buzzards bay, massachusetts this message1985-10-30 → 1985-11-13
  11. M/V sunbird aground in buzzards bay; wilkes ledge, buzzards bay, ma1985-10-30 → 1985-11-13
  12. Block island, ri1985-11-02 → 1985-11-16
  13. Mystery oil spill, block island sound; block island sound, rhode island1985-11-03 → 1985-11-17
  14. Buzzards bay, massachusetts1985-11-14 → 1985-11-28
  15. Buzzards bay, ma1985-11-14 → 1985-11-28
  16. Davisville, rhode island1985-11-19 → 1985-12-03
  17. E-24; block island sound, fishers island, new york1985-11-22 → 1985-12-06
  18. Barge e-24 long island sound; long island sound, ny1985-11-22 → 1985-12-06
  19. Vessel sinking in rhode island sound with 2000 gallons of diesel on board.1985-12-13 → 1985-12-27
  20. T/b E-24; "the race," long island sound, fishers island, new york1985-12-22 → 1986-01-05

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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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