On Sunday, April 27th, 2003, Bouchard Transportation Co. Barge #120 ruptured a cargo tank. Initial fuel loss estimates indicated that a minimum 14,700 gallons of fuel was spilled into Buzzards Bay (USCG April 28, 2003 press release). The Bouchard Transportation Co. notified the United States Coast Guard on May 19, 2003 that the amount of oil that was released was approximately 98,000 gallons. The oil released impacted more than 53 miles of shoreline, primarily along the western side of Buzzards Bay.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the United States Coast Guard, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, (along with more than 50 other agencies), and Bouchard Transportation Corporation, Incorporated, responded to cleanup the spill. Extensive resources were dedicated to ensure the cleanup. As of May 20, 2003, the responsible party and their insurance providers had spent more than $18.5 million for cleanup and operations.

Unified Command Center

During the initial cleanup phase, the Unified Command determined that approximately 700 workers per day were responding to the cleanup of the spill. These workers recovered about 3500 gallons of #6 fuel oil, 5,000 cubic yards of oiled debris, and applied 48,000 feet of snare boom, and 7,000 feet of containment boom. Although a number of birds died as a direct result of the spill, the bird recovery and rehabilitation unit in New Bedford rehabilitated 13 birds and released 9.

The Unified Command established a list of priority beaches to focus its resources to prepare the beaches for the holiday and beach season. Areas of concern included sand beaches, marshes, rock shorelines, marine sediments, shellfish, and bird habitat.

Oil Spill Act

Chapter 251 of the Acts of 2004: An Act Relative to Oil Spill Prevention and Response in Buzzards Bay and Other Harbors and Bays of the Commonwealth was signed into law by Governor Romney on August 4, 2004.

Web page

MA DEP Photographs

Buzzards Bay #6 Fuel Oil Spill

Web page

Tar patties and cleanup crews

Web page

East and West Sides of Buzzards Bay

Web page

Impacts from Fairhaven to the Canal

Web page

Impacts from Bourne to Falmouth

Web page

Gov. Romney at Barney's Joy Point Beach

Web page

Mattapoisett

Web page

Additional Photographs

Web page

Additional Information

Buzzards Bay Fuel Oil Spill - A Message from the Southeast Regional Office's Regional Director

Web page

Buzzards Bay Project - National Estuary Program

Web site

NOAA Aid for Oil Spill Responders

Web site