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Report - Situation

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS BASED ON THE MOST CURRENT DATA PROVIDED TO NOAA. - Scientific
Activities/Report: Two overflights were conducted today at 0700 and 1400. Conditions on
the morning overflight were exaggerated (looking worse than previous day's overflights)
due to slack water and low wind speeds. The 1400 overflight occurred at low tide.  General
sheen was present in the Kill from Goethals Bridge to Outerbridge Crossing. Heaviest sheen
was observed in Port Reading Reach.  The southern most extent of oil consisted of several
streamers of sheen where Arthur Kill opens into Raritan Bay.  Two large (several thousand
birds) rafts of waterfowl were observed at Ward Point Bend near buoy R"50".  An area of
light sheen was also observed in this area. A light sheen was observed east of Pralls
Island.  Sheen was observed on the western side of Pralls Island on the inside of the
boom.  In general, oil product (from a prior incident) east of the Bayonne Bridge on the
Kill Van Kull looked considerably worse than the amount of oil on the Arthur Kill.  At
1000, Gary Ott participated in a media conference with COTP NY and USCG LANTAREA Strike
Team.  Ed Levine completed a walking survey of part of Pralls Island today with personnel
from New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and New York City Parks &
Recreation (owners of Pralls Island).  An annotated map of the survey was completed and
distributed.   Copies were transmitted to Seattle and to Research Planning Institute.  A
diagram of the barge including tank layout, damaged areas, tank soundings, and an oil
budget was completed and distributed at Command Post and used for media affairs by the
COTP NY.  Two overflight maps were generated and distributed.  Three dead birds were
recovered today at Fresh Kill landfill.  One was oiled, but the status of the other two is
unknown.  Operations: By about 1400 this afternoon, the first barge had been filled with
Cibro Savannah product and was replaced.  Offloading is now approximately one quarter
completed.  The OSC is checking with the marine architect on the advisibility of
continuing offloading operations through the night.  If this occurs, offloading will
probably be completed sometime on Sunday.  No boom will be removed until the barge is
empty.  A 1430 press briefing was given by the Coast Guard at Battery Park on Manhatten
Island.  As of 1500 today: volume of oil recovered 50,066 gallons boom deployed 25,000 ft.
boom on hand 1500 ft. skimmers available 2 vac trucks 2 work boats 2 small boats -7
cleanup personnel 30  NOAA personnel on-scene: Levine, Ott, Dale Tomorrow, Ott will
relieve Levine for the day and Dale will depart. Ott is planning to leave on Sunday.