Behavior of Oil

Rose Island, 150 miles east of America Samoa
Subject Behavior of Oil
Posting Date 1993-Oct-14

It is estimated that 60 percent of the 110,000 gallons of diesel onboard was released
within 48 hours of the vessel running aground.  A narrow band of sheen was observed
trailing off to the northwest for 2 to 11 miles during this period.  Over the next two
weeks, the remaining 40,000 gallons of diesel in the forward fish holds was released as
the heavy sea continued to work on the vessel.  Overflights during this period
consistently showed the sheen being carried to the west away from the lagoon.

The diver survey conducted the first week in November suggested that one or more of the
larger releases of diesel from the forward fish holds coincided with low tide, allowing
diesel to pool under the coral rubble in the immediate vicinity of the vessel.