January 16, Galapagos Islands. The
tanker Jessica ran aground just offshore of San Cristobal Island. By January
20, it had begun leaking its cargo of 170,000 gallons of diesel fuel and
60,000 gallons of intermediate fuel oil. At the request of the Ecuador
government, the National Ocean Service sent a spill response team to assist.
NOS will provide environmental protection and cleanup recommendations.
A NOS Scientific Support Coordinator arrived on San Cristobal in the USCG
C-130 aircraft on January 21. He was joined by a second NOAA Scientific