Spills
Noaa/oma was notified of the situation at 1130 on may 20, 1988, by the U.S
F/V Defiance; Ketchikan, Alaska · Ketchikan, Alaska · NOAAORR-6575
- issued
- 1988-05-20 00:00Z
- status
- cancelled 1988-06-03 00:00Z
- self-cancels
- 1988-06-03 00:00Z
- authority
- NOAA OR&R
- sea
- The Coastal Waters of Southeast Alaska and British Columbia
- position
- 55.328, -131.628
- vessel
- F/V DEFIANCE · 5 messages
- source
- incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z
Original warning text
F/V Defiance; Ketchikan, Alaska. Ketchikan, Alaska. 1. NOAA/OMA was notified of the situation at 1130 on May 20, 1988, by the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, Juneau, and asked for advice on the size and fate and effects of the potential oil slick. NOAA was also asked to advise on the environmental resources-at-risk if the vessel was allowed to sink. The NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator advised the Coast Guard that sinking the vessel could produce two scenario extremes. The most likely scenario would be a small, continuous leak from the tank's vent pipes. However, a catastrophic release of the entire fuel tank could occur any time during or after the sinking of the vessel. Since the vessel was subject to the Tongass Narrows currents, the visible extent of the slick and sheen could range from a few meters in length to a few thousand meters, respectively. NOAA suggested that the Coast Guard check the water depth at the pier because a [...] 2. COMMODITY: DIESEL. 3. POSITION 55.328N 131.628W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 6575: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/6575
This area · spills & pollution incidents
94 within 180 nm since 1986 · 7 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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