U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Finley Sunken Vessel (M/V Forus) - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region X
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Subject:
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POLREP #1
Initial
Finley Sunken Vessel (M/V Forus)
Finley, WA
Latitude: 46.1698500 Longitude: -119.0121300
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To:
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Thomas Eaton, EPA Region 10 (POLREP List)
Rick Albright, EPA Region 10 (POLREP List)
Lori Cohen, EPA Region 10 (POLREP List)
Chris Field, EPA Region 10 (POLREP List)
Wally Moon, EPA Region 10 (POLREP List)
Robert Hildebrand, NPFC (POLREP List)
Jeff Lewis, Washington State Department of Ecology
Calvin Terada, EPA Region 10 (POLREP List)
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From:
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Richard Franklin, On-Scene Coordinator
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Date:
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7/26/2013
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Reporting Period:
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
OPA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
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Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
7/22/2013 |
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Start Date: |
7/22/2013 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
WA Dept. Ecology, DNR |
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FPN#: |
E13005 |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
2013 HR 10NHXHR 303D91 Z0DH |
1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response
1.1.2 Site Description
A sunken 40 foot, former fishing trawler lies in the middle of the navigation channel and on the bottom of the Columbia River, in approximately 40 feet of water near the Tri-Cities in Washington state.
1.1.2.1 Location
The vessel is located approximately 1/4 mile down river from river mile 323, near Finley, Benton County, Washington.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The vessel is reported to be carrying 50 gallons of diesel, and 8 gallons of motor and hydraulic oils. When the vessel intially sank, oil sheen was observed in the Columbia by the Benton County Sheriff. However, no sheen has been observed since July 12, and divers have observed that fuel tanks and vents are closed. Oil from fuel tanks, engine, and assocated equipment threaten to discharge directly into the Columbia River.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
On July 12, 2013, The Washington State Department of Ecology notified the National Response Center (Report #1053670) of a sunken vessel in the middle of the navigation channel in the Columbia River, near Finley, Benton County, Washington. The vessel has been identified as the M/V Forus, a 40-foot former fishing trawler. The owner, who had been living aboard the vessel but was evicted by his home marina, was having it moved down river from nearby Kennewick, WA to a different marina, when the vessel began drawing on water and sank. Ecology requested and was issued a Pollution Funding Removal Authorization (PRFA) by the EPA OSC in order to respond and mitigate the threat of an oil spill, which include raising the vessel from the river bottom. The USCG placed a navigation buoy at the site of the vessel to warn oncoming river traffic.
EPA and Ecology have notified all tribes with potential interests in this area, and are coordinating daily with USCG Sector Columbia River, which has been broadcasting a notice to mariners.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
EPA and Washington Department of Ecology On-Scene Coordinators mobilized to the site on 07/22/13, and met with Ecology contractor Global Diving and Salvage and Benton County Emergency Management to discuss the site and enter into a Unified Command structure. Site operations to assess the vessel, stabilize it, and prepare for removal began on Tuesday, 7/23/13. The entire assessment, lifting, removal and towing operation was expected to take only one day. However, dive teams had trouble locating the vessel, as it had moved from its original location and the USCG warning buoy was missing. Also, original agreements with the Port of Kennewick and a marina to lift and temporarily store the vessel fell through, with the Port refusing to handle and store the vessel. Finally, an assessment by divers and a naval architect determined that the vessel was considerably heavier than expected, and that a correctly-sized crane to lift the vessel was not available. Unified Command members then decided that the best course of action was to delay removal, and make sure an appropriate facility and crane could be obtained before commencing removal operations. A plan was developed in the interim to stabilize the vessel, cut the mast and antenna, remove any hazardous materials, and attach a navigation buoy directly to the vessel.
The vessel is sitting on the river bottom at a 45 degree angle, and has been marked with a buoy on the water surface. The mast and antenna, which were observed as being immediately below the water surface, have been cut so as to provide ample room for vessel draft, and not impede or damage passing barges, tugs, and recreational boats. Ecology and Global Diving are currently working with nearby ports to obtain storage space and an appropriate sized crane with which to remove the vessel after it is towed to a marina.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The owner of the vessel is Brandan Traner, of Portland, Oregon. Mr. Traner has been issued a Federal Notice of Interest (NOFI) by the OSC, and has verbally ackowledged receiving the NOFI. The Washington DNR Derelict Vessel Program will work with Mr. Traner on final disposition of the vessel.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Removal operations have ceased temporarily, but will commence during the week of July 29 once access to a port marina and crane have been confirmed. Operations will include floating the vessel with lift bags, pumping out water, patching and repairing and making the vessel towable, removing oil from tanks and associated equipment, towing it to a nearby marina, and finally lifting the vessel out of the river. Once removed, the vessel will be handed over and referred to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Derelict Vessel Program for final disposal.
2.2.2 Issues
Sinking of a vessel in the middle of the navigation channel of the Columbia River has threatened vessel traffic and safety on the river. Further, there has been a discharge of oil, and there remains a a substantial threat of discharge of oil into the river from the vessel. There remains difficulty with obtaining a port and marina in the area which are willing to store and handle the vessel. The responsible party has claimed that he has no resources or insurance with which to conduct response and removal actions.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.4 Finance Section
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2.4.1 Narrative
A PRFA has been issued to the WA Dept of Ecology, in the amount of $42,500 for oil response and removal activities.
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Budgeted |
Total To Date |
Remaining |
% Remaining |
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Extramural Costs
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Intramural Costs
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| USEPA - Direct |
$44,123.00 |
$42,500.00 |
$1,623.00 |
3.68% |
| USEPA - InDirect |
$5,877.00 |
$0.00 |
$5,877.00 |
100.00% |
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| Total Site Costs |
$50,000.00 |
$42,500.00 |
$7,500.00 |
15.00% |
* The above accounting of expenditures is an estimate based on figures known to the OSC at the time this report was written. The OSC does not necessarily receive specific figures on final payments made to any contractor(s). Other financial data which the OSC must rely upon may not be entirely up-to-date. The cost accounting provided in this report does not necessarily represent an exact monetary figure which the government may include in any claim for cost recovery.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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No information available at this time.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
Washington Department of Ecology
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region10
Benton County Emergency Management
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Derelist Vessel Program
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4. Personnel On Site
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No information available at this time.
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5. Definition of Terms
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No information available at this time.
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6. Additional sources of information
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No information available at this time.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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POLREP #1 Last Updated 7/26/2013
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