M/V JOHN B. CADDELL

Abstract

Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast of the United States on October 29th, 2012, caused over $63 billion in damage, destroyed thousands of homes, left over 8 million people without electrical service, and killed at least 131 people in eight states. Amongst the damage was the unique case of the grounded Tank Vessel, JOHN B. CADDELL on New York's Staten Island. The CADDELL posed a distinctive challenge to pollution mitigation and eventual vessel removal efforts, being stateless/ownerless, and commanded high profile media/public attention. Responders used a variety of creative methods to ensure the surrounding environment was not further affected by the grounded vessel, including the authorized use of solidifying agents. This poster describes the procedures used to determine vessel disposition and explores the innovative use of solidifiers in this particular case. Determining final disposition of the vessel involved an extensive process of multi-agency cooperation and coordination. Leveraging the existing authorities of the New York's Sheriff's Department to dispose of abandoned vessels, the Coast Guard was able to work with local, state and federal partners to implement a removal plan. Additionally, National Strike Force and Coast Guard Sector New York personnel utilized the cutting edge technology of solidifying polymer agents to effectively reduce the amount of contaminants onboard the vessel. As per the Area Contingency Plan, the Regional Response Team-Region 2 (RRT-2) was activated, and was used to brief Federal and State member agencies on the planned protective use of a solidifier by the Federal On-Scene Coordinator during cleanup efforts. RRT-2 was provided a current situational brief, objectives, and a proposed application plan. RRT-2 concurred with the utilization plan, and contributed some additional recommendations, which enhanced cleanup operations conducted under the ESF-10 Mission Assignment from New York State.