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Summary

Important note concerning the NOAA "HOTLINE" Communications System:

Please note that this system is used for NOAA internal communications and the reports are
put in chronologically.  There is NO corrective "post editing" of the reports.  As a
result of this, early reports may have information that later proved to be incorrect.
Sometimes these errors are corrected in a later report, but sometimes corrections are made
over the phone or in-person, and no correcting message is entered.  This reflects the use
of this system as a real-time spill communications system and is not intended to be an
event-log. Please keep this in mind when reading HOTLINE reports for this incident.


If you have any problems with this system please contact the HAZMAT Duty Officer at
206-526-6317.

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Initial Report
        On the evening of 14 March 2001, the NOAA SSC was notified of a spill near Texas
City, TX.  Apparently, a storm characterized by the National Weather Service as a Gust
Front with 60-70 kt winds, caused the tanker vessel GenMar Hector Maru to surge forward
during a transfer operation.  The connection was broken and an estimated 100 bbl of oil
was reported released.  At the writing of this initial report, there has been no
confirmation of source control.  The location of the spill is Pier 41 in the Texas City
Canal (approximately 29° 21.9 N Lat. and 94° 53.6 W Long.)  At risk is a highly sensitive
area just south of this location identified as Swan Lake, Lower Galveston Bay, and the
Bolivar Roads area.  What is unknown based on the available charts is if a connection
between Swan Lake and Texas City Canal exist.  If so, Swan Lake is clearly at risk.
Verbal reports from the USCG suggest that there is no connection.  The spilled oil is
reported to be a Kuwait Crude.  Such oils have a relatively light specific gravity, but
readily emulsify.

        NOAA is providing scientific support to include weather, trajectory, and RAR.
NOAA is standing by should an on-scene response be needed.