Appendix D Data on East Coast Lightering Operations and Incidents
1) Delaware Bay Lightering-Big Stone Anchorage (from Maritrans Corp.)
1993–1997
Approximately 100 million barrels per year were lightered at Big Stone Anchorage from 1993 to 1997. No pollution incidents were reported as a direct result of the lightering process as defined in this study.
From 1985 to 1992, only one incident occurred (1992) which resulted in the release of approximately 5 gallons of crude oil. The spill was the result of a loose butterworth plate on the deck of the vessel.
2) Long Island Sound Lightering-Various Locations (from USCG COTP, November 1997)
During calendar year 1997, approximately 10 lighterings totaling 0.2 million barrels occurred in the Bridgeport lightering area, and nine lighterings totaling 1.2 million barrels occurred in the New Haven lightering area.
No spill incidents associated with lightering in Long Island Sound were reported during 1997 or during 1993 to 1997.
3) East Coast Offshore Lightering
No reliable statistical data are available at this time, but the volume of oil lightered appears to be quite small. No spill incidents have been reported in recent years.
