NTSB Recommends New Alarms and Procedures for Pipeline Collapses and Anchorage Change to Prevent Future Oil Spills

The NTSB has recommended new alarms and procedures for pipeline collapses and a change to an anchorage following a 2021 oil spill off the coast of Southern California. The spill near Los Angeles and Long Beach ports was caused by ship anchors damaging an underwater pipeline, resulting in approximately 588 barrels of oil leaked and $160 million in damages. The NTSB found that the anchorages assigned to vessels did not allow enough time and space to drop their towing anchors before hitting the pipeline.

As a result, the NTSB recommended that the U.S. Coast Guard implement a proposed change to the anchorage and move its boundary further away from the pipeline. Additionally, they proposed developing and implementing audible and visual alarms for Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) watchkeepers. The investigation also showed that inspectors were not adequately trained to deal with abnormal operating conditions, leading to delayed shutdown and isolation of the pipeline.

The investigation’s public file includes over 4,000 pages of factual information, and the final report will be posted on the NTSB website in the coming weeks. MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company and the pipeline’s owner, Amplify Energy, have settled their claims regarding the incident. The NTSB’s recommendations are aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future and improving safety procedures for pipeline and utility operators.

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