highly visible example of an oil pollution problem that involves thousands of 

 spills each year, usually over 10,000 each year in U.S. waters alone. A 

 study of the Avgo Mevcharvb oil spill is a study of a chronic national, and 

 international, problem; one that shows no signs of going away in the foresee- 

 able future. 



1 , 3 Chronology of Events 



Activities set in motion in response to the grounding of the Avgo Mer- 

 chant and the coordination of scientific research efforts by the NOAA-USCG 

 SOR Team from the time of the accident until February 12, 1977, are summar- 

 ized below. A full chronology of key events up to December 31, 1976 is 

 contained in Appendix II. Hours are Eastern Standard Time. 



December 15 The Argo Merahant, carrying 7.7 million gallons of No. 6 fuel 

 oil aground on Nantucket Shoals, resulting in one of the 

 largest oil spills in United States history. Distress call 

 received by USCG at 0700. USCGC Vigilant on scene. National 

 Weather Service starts special forecasts for Fishing Rip area. 

 NOAA-USCG SOR Team sets up headquarters in Hyannis, Massachu- 

 setts, at 2100 and begins coordination of scientific efforts. 



December 16 USCG assumes full control and responsibility for the Argo 

 Merchant under Intervention Convention at 1457. Weather 

 conditions worsen. All personnel evacuated from the tanker at 

 2300. 



December 17 SOR Team personnel attend coordination meeting at 1600 at 



Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) to develop scien- 

 tific response. 



December 18 USCG reports large amount of oil spilled and geysers of oil 



shooting upward. Heavy oil plume 7.5 miles long to the north- 

 west. Ship listing 20 . Seas building up. Oil "pancakes" 

 sighted by USCG 27 miles east of ship. 



December 19 USCG reports that 1.5 million gallons of oil have entered the 

 sea and that the Argo Merchant is sinking at stern. Super- 

 tanker fenders rigged along side the tanker at 1430 in prepar- 

 ation for offloading to barges. 



December 20 WHOI vessel Oceanus begins cruise 19. 



December 21 Heavy seas. Argo Merchant splits aft of kingpost, releasing 



approximately 1.5 million gallons of oil. Oceanus returns to 



Woods Hole after taking water and sediment samples to north- 

 east of slick. 



December 22 Bow section of Argo Merchant splits again. NOAA vessel Dela- 

 ware II and USCGC Evergreen depart for scientific cruises. 

 Scientific meeting in Boston called by EPA Administrator. 



