A report of a 2-mile-long oil sheen off Huntington Beach’s coast prompted an investigation Friday morning, March 8, with county, state and federal emergency response teams deployed to figure out if it is a spill that poses a hazard.
The United States Coast Guard received a report about 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, from the National Response Center about the sheen on the ocean’s surface about a mile and a half off Huntington Beach’s coast, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Richard Brahm.
It was too dark to investigate, so the Orange County Sheriff’s Department deployed a “first light” inspection team, locating the approximate 2-mile sheen, he said.
Orange County Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley posted an alert up on social media about the response, stating “early thoughts are that it’s from a platform.”
🚨BREAKING NEWS! I just was informed by our emergency response team of an oil spill off HB. Early thoughts are that it’s from a platform. Our county teams and coast guard are heading out now to investigate. I’ll keep you updated.
— Supervisor Katrina Foley (@SupervisorFoley) March 8, 2024
While it could be an oil spill, it could also be natural seepage, Brahm said. There have been no reports from tankers or oil wells about potential spills.
“We’re not sure,” he said, noting that teams have taken samples to determine the source.
The role of the Coast Guard is to identify the oil, determine cleanup needs and impacts, he said. A vessel was in route to do a fly over scheduled for 10:30 a.m. that “helps us figure out where it’s going.”
“Our goal right now is to identify potential impacts and cleanup,” he said.
State Parks and Huntington Beach city representatives said Friday morning there had been no signs of oil on shore.
“We’re in an information collecting dynamic right now, there’s nothing visual on the beaches right now,” State Parks Superintendent Kevin Pearsall said. “We’re just gathering…
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