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Final Report 2-24-94

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS BASED ON THE MOST CURRENT DATA PROVIDED TO NOAA. - SSC 
Final On-Scene Report (2-24-94) Situation NOAA HAZMAT is preparing to depart the
command center.  This will be the final hot line report from San Juan, P R in
conjunction with the Morris J. Berman spill. The status of the situation is
fairly static at this time with regard to issues and clean up operations.  Most
zones are being monitored and maintained by contract  and USCG personnel. 
Submerged oil recovery operations continue on the west end and in the
Hilton/Radisson lagoons.  All cleanup operations are expected to be completed
for all zones with the exception of continued monitoring and maintenance within
the next 4 - 5 weeks.  The Hilton Lagoon is expected to be fully cleaned by 13
March.  The sheen offshore at the scuttle site has remained constant for several
weeks.  It is believed that residual oil remaining in the barge may be leaking
at a slow and constant rate that creates a constant sheen of approximately 40
gallons of oil or less.  Today's overflight observation reported that this
constant sheen had diminished in size by one half.  Sea conditions were
identical to yesterday.  Hopefully this signals that we are near the conclusion
of the chronic leakage from the scuttled barge.  The FOSC has requested that
overflights to the scuttle site be reduced to one every third day at this time.
 The CRRT has agreed with this proposal and we are awaiting approval from
Commander, USCGD7. Further inquiries about this incident may be directed to the
NOAA SSC at (206) 526-6317 or to MSO San Juan directly at (809) 729-6800.