Spills

On april 10, 1989, there was an explosion and fire at chevron's hydrocarbon cracking tower at the richmond…

Chevron Oil Refinery Richmond; Richmond, Ca · Richmond, Ca · NOAAORR-6689

issued: 1989-04-10 00:00Z
status: cancelled 1989-04-24 00:00Z
self-cancels: 1989-04-24 00:00Z
authority: NOAA OR&R
sea: North Pacific Ocean
position: 37.978, -122.373
source: incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Chevron Oil Refinery Richmond; Richmond, CA.
Richmond, CA.
1. On April 10, 1989, there was an explosion and fire at Chevron's hydrocarbon cracking tower at the Richmond Long Wharf. After an initial explosion, a black cloud was visible over the fire, which contained heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and ammonia. USCG district 8.
2. COMMODITY: HEAVY METALS, HYDROCARBONS, AND AMMONIA.
3. POSITION 37.978N 122.373W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 6689: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/6689

This area · spills & pollution incidents

245 within 180 nm since 1971 · 13 in the last 12 months · 2 in force now

1900 CA-1, moss landing, ca 95039, USA2026-08-30
32CC+C7 inverness, ca, USA2026-08-21
J444+RW monterey, ca, USA2026-08-13
1809 sunset dr, pacific grove, ca 93950, USA2026-08-07
R685+56 moss landing, ca, USA2026-08-07
841 w brannan island rd, isleton, ca 95641, USA2026-07-31

Season · when spills & pollution incidents happen here

month of issue, all years in the archive

Timeline · 7 messages since 1989-01-31 · closed 1989-05-01

Stevedoring services of america 2; san francisco, california1989-01-31 → 1989-02-14
San francisco, california1989-02-04 → 1989-02-18
Mystery oil Spill4; suisun bay, concord, california1989-03-06 → 1989-03-20
San francisco, california1989-03-31 → 1989-04-14
On april 10, 1989, there was an explosion and fire at chevron's hydrocarbon cracking tower at the richmond… this message1989-04-10 → 1989-04-24
On april 12, 1989, a fuel line ruptured at the alameda county transit company in emeryville, california,…1989-04-13 → 1989-04-27
Army 87th explosive ordnance detachment; san rafael, california1989-04-17 → 1989-05-01

joined by proximity

Nearby now · within 120 nm

32CC+C7 inverness, ca, USASpills · 29.2 nm
1900 CA-1, moss landing, ca 95039, USASpills · 75.4 nm

Worldwide now

8 spills & pollution incidents in force · see all

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 →

Not for navigation. This is a re-rendering of an official navigational warning for awareness; mariners must use official NAVAREA broadcasts and their national MSI service.