“For the past two years we have devoted extensive resources to finding the sources of periodic foul odours in Long Beach, Seal Beach and Huntington Beach,” said Wayne Nastri, SCAQMD’s executive officer.
“Using a combination of dedicated field staff, advanced emissions imaging technology, atmospheric modelling and in-house laboratory analysis, now for the first time we have confirmed one potential source of these odours.”
On 6th November, SCAQMD inspectors issued a Notice of Violation to GAC North America, the Long Beach-based shipping agent for the 2008-built ‘Nave Photon’. The 2 mill barrel tanker is flagged in Hong Kong and transports crude oil from the Middle East to the US West Coast.
Inspectors found that seven of 10 inspected pressure release devices on the ship were leaking hydrocarbon vapours well in excess of limits laid down by the agency’s rues on marine tank vessel operations.
The leaks were documented with portable hydrocarbon detection devices, as well as gas imaging cameras.
According to SCAQMD officials, representatives of Tesoro – the operator of the terminal where the ship was berthed – said they would contact the shipowner to ensure that the leaking valves are repaired.
SCAQMD started tracking the ship on 26th October, when it received three complaints of petroleum-type odours in the Long Beach area. Based on the location of the ship in Long Beach harbour, which was upwind of the complainants, as well as gas images captured by inspectors showing vapour leaks from the vessel, officials decided to follow up with an on board inspection when the ship docked at Tesoro’s terminal on 3rd November.