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Coastal Oil Eagle

Before beginning transfer operations, the vessel was boomed. However, the ship was pushed
more than 75 feet from the pier by high winds and the boom separated at the same time as
the transfer hose and manifold separated, allowing oil to escape initial containment at
the source. The facility and DBRC deployed additional boom at the facility and at Big
Timer, Woodbury, Cooper, and Mantua creeks to prevent oil entering marsh areas.
Simultaneously, skimmers were deployed to the locations of thickest-floating oil.


Offloading operations were being completed just as the hose and manifold broke. Most of
the oil flowed out of the facility piping system until a working manifold could be reached
and closed. A smaller amount of oil was released from the vessel side of the hose. After
nine days the pier was repaired; the piping and manifold pressure tested; the vessel
cleaned, inspected, and released; and the dock was again able to receive new vessels.


Shoreline cleanup operations were conducted as mostly manual removal of oiled sediments
and debris. Consolidated structures (riprap, pilings, seawalls, etc.) were power-washed
with Hotsys. Absorbent boom was used to reduce re-oiling during cleanup operations.
Cleanup lasted more than six weeks.


Collected oil was recycled at the refinery. Debris was sent out of state for disposal.