On June 25, 2024, a recreational vessel caught fire at a private dock on the Lake of the Ozarks, resulting in damage and the vessel becoming partially submerged. As a result of the incident, a discharge of oil and gasoline occurred. The discharged amount is unknown but the vessel was estimated to hold up to 50 gallons of gasoline and oil. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) responded to the site and deployed spill response materials and boom. On July 2, 2024, EPA was notified of the incident by MoDNR via the EPA Region 7 Spill Line when efforts by the potentially responsible party (PRP) to recover the vessel were unsuccessful, resulting in the vessel becoming fully submerged and a discharge of gasoline and oil occurring. Consequently, notification was made to the National Response Center and report # 1403637 was generated.
On July 3, 2024, a EPA Federal On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) mobilized to the site to oversee response activities and coordinate with MoDNR. EPA issued MoDNR a Pollution Removal Funding Authorization (PRFA) under Federal Project Number UCGPE24709, and a marine salvage company was procured to recover the vessel. The sunken vessel was lifted and transported to a nearby boat ramp where the PRP took possession and will arrange for proper disposal. The recovery of the vessel removed the source of the discharge and no further EPA activities are planned.
