Spills · oil

On the morning of 11/2/97, the 144 foot fishing vessel northern voyager, radioed the US coast guard that it…

Northern Voyager; Gloucester, Ma · Gloucester, Ma · NOAAORR-7238

issued
1997-11-03 00:00Z
status
cancelled 1997-11-17 00:00Z
self-cancels
1997-11-17 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
North Atlantic Ocean
position
42.621, -70.602
vessel
FISHING VESSEL NORTHERN VOYAGER
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Northern Voyager; Gloucester, MA.
Gloucester, MA.
1. On the morning of 11/2/97, the 144 foot fishing vessel NORTHERN VOYAGER, radioed the US Coast Guard that it was taking on water and sinking, 3.5 miles east Gloucester, MA. The USCG responded with rescue units and retreived the crew. In addition, the USCG placed damage control teams aboard in an attempt to control the flooding. This action was in vain and the vessel sank in 150-250 feet of water. She was carrying an estimated 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel, 200 gallons of lube oil and 400,000 pounds of herring. At the time of the sinking the weather was harsh with heavy seas and winds over 15 knots. - - Upon sinking, a USCG overflight observed a broken sheen extending northwesterly for approximately one mile at approximately 500 yards wide. - - The NOAA SSC was notified of the spill directly by the MSO Boston. After consulting with the weather service, SHIO and ADIOS, it was determined [...]
2. THREAT: OIL. COMMODITY: DIESEL, LUBE OIL. MAXIMUM POTENTIAL RELEASE: 10000 GALLONS.
3. POSITION 42.621N 070.602W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 7238: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/7238

This area · spills & pollution incidents

353 within 180 nm since 1972 · 9 in the last 12 months · 0 in force now

72
75
80
85
90
95
00
05
10
15
20
25
26

Season · when spills & pollution incidents happen here

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

month of issue, all years in the archive

Nearby now · within 120 nm

Nothing else in force within 120 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.