March 9, 2024
SAN PEDRO, Calif. – The Unified Command continues its response Saturday to an oil sheen located two and a half miles off Huntington Beach.
An overflight on the morning of March 9 did not observe any remaining recoverable sheen. Tar balls were observed along the shoreline in Huntington Beach, and onshore recovery teams will assess the shoreline and remove them as needed.
A Notice to Mariners and a safety zone are in effect 1,000 yards around any response vessel. There are currently no beach closures.
CDFW-OSPR consulted with the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). Based on information received from on-scene responders, OEHHA finds there is not likely to be a public health threat associated with consuming fish due to the incident. As such, there is no fisheries closure. OEHHA advises against fishing in areas with a visible sheen on the water.
The Oiled Wildlife Care Network was activated, and crews are surveying the shoreline and responding to reports of oiled wildlife. As of 10 a.m. on March 9, four live birds are in care. Three of the birds in care were visibly oiled (a cormorant, loon, and grebe). Responders also captured an injured, unoiled snowy plover was also captured and taken for care. Anyone observing oiled wildlife should not attempt to capture it; instead, please report observations of oiled wildlife to 1-877-UCD-OWCN (1-877-823-6926). This is not an informational or volunteer hotline.
For clarification, reports that Platform Elly reported a discharge of produced water on the morning of March 8 are correct. Still, the characteristics of the produced water from Platform Elly do not align with what was observed from the sheen. At this time, we do not believe the sheen and the discharge are related.
Media inquiries can be directed to the USCG Public Affairs Detachment at padetla@uscg.mil.
The investigation continues into the cause of the sheen.
Cal Spill Watch 