# Did A Ship Anchor Hit The Pipeline In California? **URL:** \ **Category:** Professional Mariner Forum\ **Created:** [October 6, 2021, 1:32pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867 "2021-10-06T13:32:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![john](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/john/32/5_2.png) [@john](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/john)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2021, 1:32pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/1 "2021-10-06T13:32:37Z")
As we all know there are dozens of ships anchored off Los Angeles waitting to discharge, and now we have an oil spill in the region caused by a punctured pipeline. Here’s our article on the subject: > **[It Certainly Sounds Like It Was a Ship's Anchor That Caused the California...](https://gcaptain.com/it-certainly-sounds-like-it-was-a-ships-anchor/)** > > New details about the pipeline could be the smoking gun in the investigation into the cause of Southern California’s oil spill. Officials responding to the oil spill off the coast... Sal Mercogliano did a great video explaining hwo ships anchor and such: [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/3X/5/3/53486cd23cf98b0a556afbfd94466d6c0bf008ed.jpeg "Did An Anchor from a Container Ship Cause the California Oil Spill | What's Going on With Shipping?") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsbKsEKgl1s) What do you guys think? ---
**Author:** ![MAK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MAK](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/MAK)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2021, 1:35pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/2 "2021-10-06T13:35:22Z")
![2019-05-23C-380x480](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/3X/7/4/74414094851a6f73dbe2c82ceb94f4629f6e7046.gif) ---
**Author:** ![john](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/john/32/5_2.png) [@john](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/john)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2021, 1:40pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/3 "2021-10-06T13:40:11Z")
Another possibility is she hit the pipeline while maneuvering to pick up tthe anchor. Could it be possible they started steaming towards the port before the anchor was fully aweigh? Is it possible the anchor watch said the anchor was aweigh before it was? Is it possible they left the anchor kissing the bottom to move the pivot point to the bow and improve maneuverability getting out of the anchorage? Is it possible that the anchor was temporarily hung-off the bottom (so it could be released in an emergency) and the brake failed? Pure speculation but I haven’t seen the AIS data when the mostly likely canidate ([M/V Rotterdam Express](https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:133290/mmsi:211335760/imo:9193317/vessel:ROTTERDAM_EXPRESS)) picks up anchor. ---
**Author:** ![tugger50](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/tugger50/32/1090_2.png) [@tugger50](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugger50)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2021, 4:03pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/4 "2021-10-06T16:03:13Z")
Was that area a designated anchorage? I’m guessing that it is not. I remember seeing signs along various shorelines and beaches saying DO NOT ANCHOR, Submerged Pipeline (or cable). There are now reports that the pipeline has a 13" tear and is bowed like a bowstring. Seems kinda obvious what happened given the large amount of ships waiting to get into port. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2021, 4:23pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/5 "2021-10-06T16:23:48Z")
[https://eu.usatoday.com/in-depth/graphics/2021/10/04/oil-spill-california-beaches-closed-explainer/5987799001/](https://eu.usatoday.com/in-depth/graphics/2021/10/04/oil-spill-california-beaches-closed-explainer/5987799001/) > [@](#): > > The 41-year-old San Pedro Bay pipeline, more than 17 miles long, connects two offshore platforms, known as Elly and Ellen, to a pumping station in Long Beach. Ellen is a drilling and production platform; Elly processes oil. The pipeline also is connected to a third platform, Eureka, which produces oil and gas. > **[Oil spill southern California by USAT - Old Graphics - Infogram](https://infogram.com/1pd3y3g7znepkmtmgpq09yp9enapw301dn)** ---
**Author:** ![Slocum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Slocum](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Slocum)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2021, 8:41pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/6 "2021-10-06T20:41:24Z")
Questions 1,2,4 are all possible. IMHO Question 3 is unlikely. Assuming it was a ship’s anchor strike, also consider ECDIS layering. There is quite a bit of a/v “noise” associated with electronic charts. ---
**Author:** ![CoastalTrader](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/coastaltrader/32/71776_2.png) [@CoastalTrader](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/CoastalTrader)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2021, 8:56pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/7 "2021-10-06T20:56:27Z")
CNN seems to be calling it a sure thing now. ---
**Author:** ![DamnYankee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/damnyankee/32/514_2.png) [@DamnYankee](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DamnYankee)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2021, 8:20am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/8 "2021-10-07T08:20:10Z")
AP is breaking that the Rotterdam Express is the ship of interest to the USCG. AIS data allegedly shows it possibly dragging anchor over the pipeline. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2021, 10:03am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/9 "2021-10-07T10:03:13Z")
> **[US Coast Guard boards Hapag-Lloyd ship in growing pipeline spill investigation...](https://splash247.com/us-coast-guard-boards-hapag-lloyd-ship-in-growing-pipeline-spill-investigation/)** > > The US Coast Guard (USCG) dispatched a team to Oakland yesterday to examine Hapag-Lloyd’s 4,843 teu as investigations ramp up into how a pipeline was severed off the coast of southern California over the weekend. An investigation by the US Coast... > [@](#): > > A spokesperson for Hapag-Lloyd told _Splash_ today that the Rotterdam Express had anchored at the SF-3 anchorage as directed by San Pedro Traffic on September 21. The anchor was dropped exactly as requested and confirmed by San Pedro Traffic. > > “During the period in question the vessel has not moved from anchorage and has not passed over the pipeline. During anchorage no oil in the water has been spotted,” the spokesperson said, adding: “Hapag-Lloyd is cooperating with all authorities involved.” > > Analysts at Skytruth, a nonprofit organisation that uses satellite technology to track environmental issues, suggest that the _Rotterdam Express_ was the closest ship to the pipeline at the time of the accident, but even so, its 500 m distance from the pipeline was likely too far to be the culprit. > > “I don’t think there is enough leash basically for a vessel to be anchored and be pushed around 1,500 feet,” John Amos, president of Skytruth, told the _Los Angeles Times_ . A more likely explanation could be that the 41 year old pipeline had not been laid in a straight line as indicated on the charts. (Not uncommon at that time) Had inspection and maintenance routines been carried out with sufficient frequency and accuracy?? > [@](#): > > Beta Operating Company, a subsidiary of Amplify Energy and the company that operates the pipeline, has been cited by federal regulators for more than 100 violations over the past 11 years, according to _CNN_ . The company is said to have had 125 incidents of non-compliance documented by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, which oversees the offshore drilling industry. ---
**Author:** ![DamnYankee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/damnyankee/32/514_2.png) [@DamnYankee](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DamnYankee)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2021, 10:16am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/10 "2021-10-07T10:16:41Z")
> [@ombugge](#): > > I don’t think there is enough leash basically for a vessel to be anchored and be pushed around 1,500 feet,” John Amos, president of Skytruth, told the _Los Angeles Times_ This sounds like this gentleman thinks they veered enough chain to damage this pipeline. The more likely explanation is that it dragged its anchor onto the pipeline and then picked it up, repositioned itself, and dropped anchor again in its assigned anchorage. All of which should be documented in the logbook if it happened. I have to question what an anchorage is doing that close to a pipeline at all. ---
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2021, 10:42am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/11 "2021-10-07T10:42:12Z")
> [@john](#): > > Could it be possible they started steaming towards the port before the anchor was fully aweigh? > > Is it possible the anchor watch said the anchor was aweigh before it was? > > Is it possible they left the anchor kissing the bottom to move the pivot point to the bow and improve maneuverability getting out of the anchorage? > > Is it possible that the anchor was temporarily hung-off the bottom (so it could be released in an emergency) and the brake failed? 1,2 and 4 - When recovering the anchor it’s standard practice not to move the ship until the anchor is clear of the water to check that the anchor is not fouled on something. 3 - Seems doubtful, once the anchor is clear of the water even if it’s tight ahead there will be room astern as the ship would have moved ahead recovering the chain. Easiest way to spin around in this situation; give a dead slow astern bell till the ship has some sternway on then goose it ahead with an ahead bell and full rudder, Ship will spin right around, and/or use the bow thruster. ---
**Author:** ![Lee\_Shore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Lee\_Shore](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Lee_Shore)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2021, 2:10pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/12 "2021-10-07T14:10:42Z")
> **[Investigators board ship that was anchored near oil pipeline](https://apnews.com/article/business-europe-california-environment-and-nature-0e3d71b1f161822bb157ce8d73dbbd11)** > > HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (AP) — U.S. Coast Guard investigators have boarded a massive cargo ship as they probe what caused the rupture of an offshore oil pipeline that sent crude washing up on Southern California beaches. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2021, 9:06pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/13 "2021-10-07T21:06:12Z")
The R.E. was at anchor at Anchorage SF3 for several days and moved from there to LB port without crossing the pipeline. IFAIK Anchorage SF3 is to the North of the pipeline (??) so that make sense. It appears that the USCG has come to the same conclusion: > [@](#): > > Afterward, the Coast Guard called the company to say the Rotterdam no longer was under scrutiny for the spill, Haupt said. The ship was cleared to depart Oakland was headed to Mexico. Maybe time to admit that the cause is NOT a foreign ship dragging it’s anchor across the line and start looking at the more likely reason, rusty old pipeline that developed a leak. Not unthinkable, or unusual, is it? PS\> When was the last time a Smart Pig inspection was carried out? Has the report been made available to investigators? ---
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2021, 10:53am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/14 "2021-10-08T10:53:54Z")
> **[Coast Guard Declares San Pedro Bay Pipeline Fracture a Major Marine Casualty](https://gcaptain.com/coast-guard-declares-san-pedro-bay-pipeline-fracture-a-major-marine-casualty/)** > > We’re getting some new information in regards to the investigation into the cause of the pipeline fracture and oil spill in San Pedro Bay off the coast of Southern California.... In the book _“Looking for a Ship”_ John McPhee says something along the lines of about half the work done by the officers is record keeping in preparation for future lawsuits. Looks like maybe records on board kept the Rotterdam out of trouble. LIkely however the electronic records would be more valuable then logs kept on paper in this case. Local story with some details about the video evidence. > **[California pipeline likely damaged up to a year before spill](https://www.ksnblocal4.com/2021/10/08/mystery-lingers-around-cause-california-oil-pipeline-leak/)** > > The Coast Guard estimates the spill to be at least about 25,000 gallons and no more than 132,000 gallons. > A Coast Guard video released Thursday appears to show a trench in the seafloor leading to a bend in the submerged line, but experts offered varied opinions of the significance of the brief, grainy shots. An earlier video revealed a 13-inch (33-centimeter) rupture in the line, but the pipe showed no evidence of damage that they said would be expected from a collision with a multi-ton anchor from cargo ships that routinely move through the area off the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2021, 11:18am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/15 "2021-10-08T11:18:10Z")
If this was done by a ship’s anchor it should be easy to prove by running a Side Scan Sonar in the area where the leak was detected (not which ship) Anchor scars are usually easily seen on SS surveys. If the pipeline had been displaced in the process, there would also be clear indication of that, with the anchor scar in the middle of the “bow”. PS\> No American flag ship around that could be blamed?? ---
**Author:** ![Steamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Steamer](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Steamer)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2021, 12:08pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/16 "2021-10-08T12:08:13Z")
Either a side-scan or a ROV, either of which are abundant in southern California. Even hobbyist grade units could provide very high resolution graphics of the pipe and the suspected trench. At only 30m depth they could tie a string to a GoPro and get excellent photos. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2021, 3:36pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/17 "2021-10-08T15:36:04Z")
Here is a video that show a short glimpse of the pipeline and the bottom around: > **[Hapag-Lloyd ship cleared to go as investigators focus on pipeline operator in...](https://splash247.com/hapag-lloyd-ship-cleared-to-go-as-investigators-focus-on-pipeline-operator-in-california-spill-inquiry/)** > > Investigations into last weekend’s pipeline spill off Orange County in California continue with one suspect allowed to carry on its way. The US Coast Guard had boarded Hapag-Lloyd’s earlier this week in Oakland amid a media frenzy that a dragged... ---
**Author:** ![New3M](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/new3m/32/394_2.png) [@New3M](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/New3M)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2021, 6:29pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/18 "2021-10-08T18:29:58Z")
> [@Kennebec\_Captain](#): > > LIkely however the electronic records would be more valuable then logs kept on paper in this case. Just rewind the ECDIS 3 or 4 days and hit play and there you go! ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2021, 6:58pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/19 "2021-10-08T18:58:44Z")
You would think that the USCG investigators that visited the R.E. did just that. Otherwise Marine Traffic would probably be visited by many to do the same. VTS will also have records that can be checked. There are no “secrets” or “privacy” any more. ---
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2021, 9:31pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867/20 "2021-10-08T21:31:47Z")
Looks like it was jitter in the AIS / GPS signal from a AIS service that tagged the Rotterdam in the first place. From Newsweek: > The cargo ship, named the Rotterdam Express, was anchored closest to where the pipeline ruptured and, according to data from a marine navigation service, appeared to have made a string of unusual movements leading up to the break. [Next page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/did-a-ship-anchor-hit-the-pipeline-in-california/60867.md?page=2)