Liaison Update #8
UPDATE: 12/27/22
OES Report # 22-7342; NRC Report #1355028
**INFORMATION CURRENT AS OF 1400**
INCIDENT INFORMATION
Date of Report: December 15, 2022
Incident Name: Speranza Marie Grounding
Location: Chinese Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Barbara County
Product details: Diesel and hydraulic fluid
INCIDENT UPDATE
Weather and sea conditions continued to present an unsafe environment on Monday, so crews were unable to move the vessel to a more stable location. Overnight, significant swells caused the Speranza Marie to separate from her anchored position and drift aground about 100 yards west from the original grounding position in Chinese Harbor. Drone imagery and a helicopter overflight on Tuesday observed significant damage to the vessel, but response crews do not currently have safe access to the site. Salvage and response crews will continue to monitor the weather and sea conditions for an opportunity to assess the situation, amend the plans, and resume operations. The Unified Command will continue to leverage all available resources to maintain situational awareness
The USCG has issued a safety zone of 4,000 yards around the vessel. A notice to mariners is in place and no vessel or person will be permitted to operate or recreate within the safety zone without obtaining permission from the Captain of the Port. The safety zone is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment during ongoing salvage operations for the F/V Speranza Marie.
More information will be shared when it becomes available.
INCIDENT BACKGROUND
A Unified Command continues to manage a response to a discharge of diesel and hydraulic fluid from a fishing vessel that ran aground near Chinese Harbor on Santa Cruz Island, off the coast of Santa Barbara County. The vessel, owned by Ocean Angel VI, LLC, has a capacity of 4,000 gallons, and was estimated to be carrying approximately 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel, as well as an unknown amount of hydraulic fluid. Representatives within the Unified Command Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW-OSPR), Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Channel Islands National Park, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, and Ocean Angel VI, LLC.
MEDIA
Media inquiries can be directed to the US Coast Guard at [email protected].
