Day/date: September 21, 1987


                                 FIELD INCIDENT REPORT

Incident type: Ship Collision
Log number: 87-233
Date/time of incident: 9/21, 6:30 am  Date/time received: 9/21, 6 pm
Park: Channel Islands    Location: 15 miles SW of Pt. Concepcion
Reported by: Ranger Fitzgerald, CHIS, 602-644-8157
Received by: Bill Halainen, RAD, WASO

Summary:
The ships Atlantic Wing (170 meters) and Pacific Baroness (150 meters)
collided while in park waters. The Atlantic Wing was damaged but able to
proceed under her own power. The Pacific Baroness, however, was disabled
and - as of the time of the report - was under tow and still in danger of
sinking. The ship has 320,000 gallons of diesel oil on board, and is
leaking badly. A Coast Guard strike team was en route to deal with this
problem. The owners have also hired a commercial cleanup team. Of greater
concern is the possibility of the ship sinking, since she carries a load of
granulated copper ore. According to the park scientist, this ore would
present "an extreme hazard" to the ocean environment due to its high toxicity.

An update will be available this morning (September 22) as soon as the
park and regional office open.

Persons involved:
Name                                 Address             DOB or age