March 8, 2024
SAN PEDRO, Calif — A Unified Command with representatives from the US Coast Guard (USCG), California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW-OSPR), and Orange County Sheriff’s Department are responding to an oil sheen observed offshore of Huntington Beach.
Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach Command Center received a report at 6:50 p.m. Thursday of an unknown substance in the water 1.5 miles off the coast of Huntington Beach.
Watchstanders at the Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach command center notified Coast Guard Pollution Responders who began investigative work through the night with California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR), Huntington Beach Lifeguards, and Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
At 6:30 a.m., Coast Guard Pollution Responders got underway with a Newport Harbor Patrol boat to investigate. Additionally, a Coast Guard helicopter conducted an overflight in the area at sunrise. Upon investigation, an oil sheen was discovered that spanned 2.5 miles in length and 0.5 miles in width in position 33-40.100N 118-04.500W, roughly 2.5 nautical miles off Huntington Beach in vicinity of platforms Emmy and Eva.
The Coast Guard is reaching out to all potential sources of the spill in the area but no source has been identified at this time. Additionally, the Coast Guard has hired an oil spill response organization to conduct offshore oil collection and is working to identify possible impacts to the shoreline and environmental protection strategies. At this time, no oiled wildlife has been observed. The public is asked not to approach impacted animals if observed and to call the Oiled Wildlife Care Network at 1-877-823-6926. This is not an informational or volunteer hotline.
For more information or updates, contact the Coast Guard Public Affairs Detachment at (310) 781-0619 or padetla@uscg.mil.
Cal Spill Watch 