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Port of Los Angeles Oil Spill Response
Learn how NRC, a recent Republic Services acquisition, responded to an oil spill at one of LA's busiest port terminals.Byline: BTB Author
April 7, 2016 / Time to read: 5 minThe Challenge
On March 31, 2016, approximately 100 barrels of a heavy fuel oil and oily-water mix spilled from a 47,000 DWT oil tanker in the Port of Los Angeles during a routine fuel transfer operation at one of LA’s busiest port terminals.
Cleanup operations were complicated by oil washing under the pier and getting trapped in the riprap and seawall. Significant tidal variations further complicated the cleanup effort. During the course of the cleanup, site safety was a primary concern for all people involved.
The Solution
NRC, a recent Republic Services acquisition, was the primary Oil Spill Removal Organization (OSRO) for the terminal operator. Upon notification, NRC was on the scene within one hour of activation. The response included 55+ personnel and boom, skimmers, skiffs, deck boats, pressure washers, hot oil trucks, 120BBL Vacuum units and light towers for night operations.
NRC completely mitigated the spill and handled the entire operation from the initial response to cleanup and decon of the ship, pier, riprap and seawall. NRC ICN members used hot oil trucks to provide 150-degree water for the riprap/seawall deluge and washing. All equipment was decontaminated and NRC disposed of all liquid and solid wastes. No land-based remediation was required.
The response included:
- 55+ responders (NRC and NRC subcontractors)
- Boom, skimmers, absorbents, pressure washers, vacuum units and hot oil truck
- Deployment of a containment boom around a tank vessel
- Clean up of pier pilings, riprap and seawall
- Shore side logistics and resource procurement for command staff
- Night operations
- Decon of the tank vessel
- Disposal and transport of liquid and solid wastes
The Outcome
The response to this event was very successful. The goal was to clean up the spill as quickly as possible while addressing any concerns from regulatory agencies and local stakeholders and enabling the Port and Terminal to resume routine operations as quickly as possible. The operation was completed safely with no injuries.
