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M/V Jupiter

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS BASED ON THE MOST CURRENT DATA PROVIDED TO NOAA. - Scientific
issues surrounding this incident have been primarily health related. . SSC has been
working through Michigan Dept of Public Health (Wagner), who is on scene, at the OSC's
request. . Drinking water intake for the City of Bay City is approximately four miles
North northwest of the River mouth in Saginaw Bay.  A secondary intake is less than one
mile offshore in the same vicinity.  Both are depicted on NOAA Chart 14867. . Michigan
Dept of Public Health (Kovach) has been working with the waterworks personnel to develop a
sampling and analysis plan.  Background samples have been taken at the River Mouth, Raw
water intake and of finished water.  Water works personnel use turbidity as an indicator
of the River's influence on their water wuply and will enact the plan when the condition
occurs. . Worker safety is being provided for by MIOSHA (Johnson) and Lantarea Strike Team
(Zernick).  HNU is being used to ID hot spots, colorimetric tubes are being used to
characterize hot spots (for benzene, toluene, and xylene) and samples are being collected
for quantitative analysis at the hot spots. . Qualitative measures (colorimetric tubes)
indicate occasional low levels of benzene (barely detectable on 1ppm Drager tube), and
levels of Xylene and Toluene of approximately 50 ppm at hot spots.  Some cleanup personnel
are using air purifying respirators and personnel protective clothing. . SSC has used RPI
resources at risk report as basis for discussion with MDNR Wildlife and Fisheries
Divisions.  They are commenting upon the report and the result will be used to plan for
potential release during salvage ops. . . Future plans include: .    -Salvage company
assessment, including diver surveys of the MV Jupiter.    -Cleanup contractor will
maintain boom around vessel and other equipment     on standby.    -MDNR, MDPH, and SSC to
remain on standby until remaining cargo is removed. . Other interesting activity: .
-Gasoline odors were reported in sewers in a residential community near the incident site.
Contractors were dispatched to flush and foam the sewers. A watch has been set at the
outfall w/boom and combustible gas detector to observe flow at the outfall. . Jay
Rodstein, NOAA SSC