emergency response

Over the course of the 62 day-response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge Marine Collapse, OR&R's scientific support team produced trajectory analyses, chemistry reports, and situational reports to support the U.S. Coast Guard's pollution control and abatement operations and prepare for potential impacts of a worst case release of the 1.5 million gallons of fuel that remained on board the M/V Dali.

During May, OR&R provided response support for 26 incidents, including 19 new incidents in 10 states. Eighteen of the new incidents were actual or potential oil spills, and one was a chemical spill in the Detroit River, Michigan.

This March, the Office of Response and Restoration provided scientific support for 26 marine pollution and coastal emergencies—including twelve actual or potential oil spills, two chemical incidents, and five other incidents, including two involving dead whales.

Last month, OR&R provided scientific support for 26 marine pollution incidents—including 15 new incidents that included an abandoned mystery drum in Puerto Rico and an international incident in the Red Sea. In our latest blog, view the full list of our response efforts in February.

Last month, OR&R provided scientific support for 25 marine pollution incidents—including 16 new incidents that included 10 actual or potential oil spills, five chemical incidents, and one “other”—a dead gray whale.

Last year, we provided scientific support for 162 new incidents — including 132 oil spills, 13 chemical spills, and 17 other incidents—such as severe storms, marine debris, and whale carcass drift requests. In our latest blog, we're taking a look back at our 2023 response efforts

In 2023, NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration kickstarted a project to optimize oil spill response by utilizing uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), or “drones,” and strengthen data collection and delivery for oil spill response in real-time.

Last month, OR&R emergency response scientists provided support for 25 marine pollution incidents, including a fire on a cargo vessel transporting lithium-ion batteries in Alaska, a gasoline pipeline spill in northwest Washington, and a chemical explosion and fire in Connecticut.

OR&R and the Coast Guard are working together to enhance and expedite response operations with cutting-edge science that puts eyes in the sky through the use of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) technologies, such as drones.