Spills

C/v houston; maryland shoal, florida keys national marine sanctuary

NOAAORR-7188

issued
1997-02-03 00:00Z
status
cancelled 1997-02-17 00:00Z
self-cancels
1997-02-17 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
North Atlantic Ocean
position
24.508, -81.572
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

C/V Houston; Maryland Shoal, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Maryland Shoal, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
1. During the night of February 3, 1997, the C/V Houston ran hard aground while en route from New Orleans to Spain. Most of the approximately 2,700 tons of fuel carried by the ship was a heavy fuel oil. The ship also carried marine diesel and lube oil. The ship was loaded with containers, nine of which contained hazardous materials, but the risk of damage to these containers or their cargo was low. Fuel was lightered from the vessel on February 8 and the ship was refloated and pulled free of the reef that evening during high tide. The Houston proceeded to the Port of Miami for damage inspection. USCG district 7.
2. COMMODITY: BUNKER, DIESEL, LUBE. MAXIMUM POTENTIAL RELEASE: 5400000 GALLONS.
3. POSITION 24.508N 081.572W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 7188: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/7188

This area · spills & pollution incidents

137 within 180 nm since 1985 · 2 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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