Jan 26, 1990 email to Polar Duke from Al Sutherland; RE: BAHIA PARAISO: REVIEW OF NSF ACTIVITIES and Status as of January 1990
From: ST%"NSF.DPP.OCEANOPS@telemail" 26-JAN-1990 17:12:55.72
To: DUKE
CC:
Subj: BAHIA PARAISO
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 90 09:19:00 EST
From: NSF.DPP.OCEANOPS (NSF.DPP.OCEANOPS@telemail)
Message-Id: (AGJA-4149-8957@telemail) Subject: BAHIA PARAISO
To: (duke)
Sender: Telemail-Daemon
Posted: Fri, Jan 26, 1990 9:19 AM EST Msg: AGJA-4149-8957
From: NSF.DPP.OCEANOPS
To: H.Kennedy, POLAR.DUKE, Palmer.Sta, L.Bonde
Subj: BAHIA PARAISO
DUKE for K. Schmidt
Palmer for Jorgenson & Penhale
Chip, Karen, Peter and Les,
You can file the following in your "useless info'' file. It is a short update on the BAHIA PARAISO suitable for public hand out to anyone who needs or wants a B.P. status report.
Best Regards, Al Sutherland
report follows:
=======================================
BAHIA PARAISO:
REVIEW OF NSF ACTIVITIES
and Status as of
January 1990
1988-89 Season
On January 28, 1989, the BAHIA PARAISO, an Argentine government tourist and supply vessel, operated by the Argentine Navy, ran aground in the international waters of Arthur Harbor near Palmer Station, a U.S. Antarctic base. The BAHIA PARAISO contained approximately 265,000 gallons of petroleum, oil and lubricant (POL) products. Contamination of Arthur Harbor was immediately detected. NSF implemented a three Phase plan to address the problem. The first phase was to immediately deploy a team of spill experts and equipment to contain and absorb POL products leaking from the wreck. Additionally, with the concurrence of on-site representatives from the Argentine government, the spill experts assisted in the recovery of much of the POL remaining in the vessel. The second phase involved deployment of a Rapid Response science team to document the effects of the spill and assess its initial impact. The third phase will build on the efforts of the rapid response science team by conducting additional scientific studies to determine the effects of the spill over time. The third phase also includes continued containment and absorption of the remaining POL aboard.
At the end of the 1988-1989 season, POL leakage had slowed to small sporadic emissions. Of the 265,000 gallons of POL products reported to have been on board prior to running aground, only 64,000 gallons were estimated to be still in the vessel. Approximately 183,000 gallons spilled immediately after the accident and 18,000 gallons were pumped out by the recovery team
Current Status
Over the austral winter of 1989 the wreck gradually rolled to an overturned position of 140-160 degrees from the upright. At present, the bottom of hull is the only above water portion of the wreck. It is exposed for a length of approximately 60 feet and a maximum elevation of 6 feet above low tide. The hull is nearly awash at high tide. No leakages were noted during recent inspections although there was a petroleum smell in close proximity to the wreck. No motion of the vessel was detected, nor would it be likely, since it appears to be firmly resting on the bottom. The wreck is not readily visible to the naked eye from as close as 1/8th of a mile away. During this austral summer, station personnel monitor the wreck regularly and, if leakage is visible, will deploy absorbent booms when the weather and sea conditions will permit safe small boat operations. To date there has been no need to deploy the booms. In late December 1989 station divers inspected the wreck. They noted that the superstructure of the ship has collapsed completely They also noted a thick coating - two to three inches - of algae and were unable to detect any major amount of oil issuing from the ship.
The Argentine Navy flew a reconnaissance flight over the wreck in late September 1989, reportedly to asses it's present status. On December 30, 1989, the Argentine Navy Icebreaker, ALMIRANTE IRIZAR visited the wreck site and flew a few helicopter sorties over the wreck reportedly to reconnoiter it's status. The Argentines also observed local bird populations via helicopter. The U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires has informed NSF that the Argentine Government has indicated to at least one commercial salvage firm that they would entertain a new proposal for salvaging the vessel and/or the remaining fuel. NSF has received no official word from Argentina regarding their specific intentions.
1989-90 Season
Research conducted by the rapid response science team has provided a critical data base from which to assess the impact of the spill and to document ecosystem recovery. An international, long-term program of ecosystem monitoring and basic research is planned. This includes completion of the analysis of samples collected during, and shortly after, the spill as well as further field and laboratory research. A suite of samples for hydrocarbon analysis will be collected from previously occupied sites. A special focus on bird population dynamics and physiology will parallel research on other assemblages in this diverse ecosystem.
Operations, at present, are limited to POL containment with absorbent booms, weather permitting. The U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage Office has prepared a report assessing the feasibility and developing preliminary plans and estimates for the recovery of the remaining POL. According to the Supervisor of Salvage, the only assured method to remove all potential for future leakage is to remove the wreck entirely at an estimated cost of ($50-60 million. The report indicates, though, that the alternative of containment ana absorption, as presently being conducted is an economically and ecologically reasonable approach.
International
NSF has made inquiries through the U.S. embassy in Argentina regarding Argentine plans for cleanup and disposition of the BAHIA PARAISO. To date, no response has been received. However, both Chile and Argentina have requested support from NSF to house scientists at Palmer Station.
Several agenda items at the XV Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in October 1989 related to this incident. Point papers on prevention of marine pollution and protective measures will be prepared.
Tourism and Non-Government Activity
As per agreements within the NSF Division of Polar Programs and discussions with tour companies, tour ships will be welcomed at Palmer Station. Due to major construction this season, and depending upon spill related activities, there may be some disruption of pre-planned visit schedules. Each visit will be treated on a case-by-case basis. All visitors will be shown a video on U.S. activities in Antarctica prepared last year by the U.S. Park Service as well as a video on the BAHIA PARAISO cleanup activities of last year.
The Greenpeace vessel GONDWANA visited and photographed the wreck site in early November 1989 as did Jacques Cousteau and his party aboard the M/V EREBUS on January 10, 1989. The Cousteau party also dove on the wreck but have not yet provided a report of their findings.
date: January 25, 1990