M/V Padre Island - Diesel Fuel Spill
(Information on this site is considered to be accurate at the time of posting, but is subject to change as new information becomes available.)


   

Summary Information

Date of Incident:  
Tuesday, July 03, 2001, 04:01 a.m.

Location:  
Buoy 7, mouth of the Columbia River 

Product/Quantity:  
50 gallons of diesel fuel 

Cause:  
Currently under investigation.
 

Photographs

Maps/Drawings

Vessel Information

 

Padre Island Closeout Statement

Based on the information gathered, the immediate cause of the spill was determined by Ecology to be: Human error. Judgment – The dredge mate incorrectly assessed the strength of the current and the effects of the current on his vessel’s movement.

Based on the information gathered, the contributing factors of the spill were determined by Ecology to be:

    Lack of Policy/Procedure. The company had no policy or procedure for the mates/master to review local conditions when going into a location they have not worked before. The mate/master did not read either the Coast Pilot or the lists of tides and predicted currents supplied by the Columbia River Bar Pilots.

    Inexperience. Although the mate was properly trained in dredging procedures and shiphandling, he was unfamiliar with the conditions on the Columbia River Bar.

    Inattention/complacency. The mate was completing paperwork for the load and did not give the transit to the dumpsite his undivided attention. He was delayed, therefore, in detecting his set towards buoy #7.

Based on the circumstances of the spill, Ecology made the following prevention recommendations to the operator of the dredge:

    The master of the vessel indicated the company was going through the process to become ISM certified. The master and mate involved in this incident should help develop the company’s policies and procedures regarding the acquisition of local knowledge when dredging in unfamiliar waters.

    Consider modifying the company’s policies and procedures to require a dedicated lookout to assist the mate on watch with lookout duties while transiting to and from the dumpsite.

    Consider eliminating the 6&6 navigation watch schedule through either increased manning (3 licenses) or by adopting a modified watch schedule such as a 5-5-7-7 routine for crews engaged in continuous dredging operations.

    Implement a formal system for regularly auditing company operations for the purpose of detecting crew alertness issues and work hour violations. Ensure such a system provides a mechanism for attempting to address the issues and violations detected.

    Bring crew training up to STCW95 requirements and recommendations including Bridge Resource Management for the bridge crews.

Final Update - July 10, 2001
The vessel is currently in dry dock at Mercon Marine in Portland.

Update - Posted July 05, 2001  p.m., Source U.S. Coast Guard Document Number: 2441 RELEASE DATE: July 03, 2001, 17:05:37 PST

At approximately 4:30 P.M. the 267' dredge PADRE ISLAND arrived under it's own power at pier #2 in Astoria, OR. Patches applied to the damaged areas slowed down the leaks from the portside fuel tank. While underway a small amount of diesel fuel was discharged, leaving a non-recoverable trail that followed the vessel into port.

Upon arrival, the vessel was immediately boomed off, ensuring containment of the small amounts of diesel fuel leaking from the fuel tank. Divers are scheduled to survey the hull below the water line for additional damage and conduct temporary repairs. The diesel fuel remaining in the fuel tank is being removed.

For more information contact:

LTJG Jeff Pile USCG Phone: (503) 240-9356 Phone: (503) 599-5797 Fax: (503) 240-9304 6767 North Basin Ave. Portland, OR 97217 jpile@pacnorwest.uscg.mil

Update - July 03, 2001  p.m.

The split-hull hopper dredge PADRE ISLAND struck and sank a navigation buoy in heavy fog near the Columbia River entrance at 0415 hrs this morning. The impact breached the hull at the port diesel tank and the port engine room. The port main engine is submerged in sea water and is no longer functioning. The starboard main engine is still operating. The vessel is listing 9 degrees to port.

Diesel oil was released into the water. The quantity released is unknown. The tank contained approximately 13,000 gallons of diesel oil prior to the incident. MFSA/CRC is on-scene with clean-up equipment.

The vessel is stable and holding station near the entrance buoy while temporary repairs are made. Two Foss tugs will help the vessel reach Port of Astoria later this afternoon/early evening.

Ecology and ODEQ staff is on scene: - Ted Paige/Eric Heinitz/John Butler/Jack Wylie/Mike Greenburg @ CAC, MSO Portland. - Doug Stolz/Curt Piesch @ Hammond with response boat.

A joint Ecology/USCG investigation is underway. Crew statements will be taken later this week.

Summary - July 03, 2001  a.m.

The Hopper Dredge PADRE ISLAND collided with Buoy number 7 at the mouth of the Columbia River at 0440 a.m., today (07/03/01) and damaged the fuel tank in the port hull of the Catamaran Hull which began leaking diesel fuel. The spill potential is 13,000 gallons of diesel. A sheen is spreading in the area and NOAA is in the process of working a trajectory for the spill. Clean Rivers is en-route.