American Trader

Summary

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aerial view of ship leaking oil into water
The oil tanker American Trader ran over its anchor, puncturing its hull and spilling an estimated 416,598 gallons of crude oil.
  • LOCATION: Huntington Beach, Orange County
  • DATE: February 7, 1990
  • INCIDENT SUMMARY: The oil tanker American Trader ran over its anchor, puncturing its hull and spilling an estimated 416,598 gallons of crude oil.
  • RESPONSIBLE PARTY: British Petroleum, Attransco, Golden West Refining Co.
  • NATURAL RESOURCE TRUSTEES:
    • Recreational Component: California Department of Fish and Wildlife; Department of Parks and Recreation; City of Newport Beach, City of Huntington Beach; Orange County.
    • Biological Component: California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife; United States Fish and Wildlife Service; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
  • RESOURCES IMPACTED: Birds (3,400 estimated killed); fish; recreational beach use.
  • SETTLEMENT DETAILS: The case was divided into two components: recreational impacts and biological impacts. The recreational component of the case went to trial, where a jury award was eventually settled for $11.6 million. The biological component of the case was settled out of court for $3.45 million for bird and fish-related injuries, plus an additional $360,000 for water monitoring projects.
  • STATUS OF RESTORATION:
    • Recreational Component: Projects completed. Select the Back Bay Science Center link below to see one of the completed projects.
    • Biological Component: Projects completed.

Available Documents

Administrative Record

Restoration Project Monitoring Reports

External Links

Contact

Michael Anderson
Email: Michael.Anderson@wildlife.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 375-6672

Office of Spill Prevention and Response
Mailing: P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
(916) 375-8580 for OSPR Information

Report Oil Spills
(800) 852-7550 or (800) OILS-911

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