1.4.1 While precise data is not available for
the types of harmful substances carried on board the vessels that
transit the waters of the NWHI, it is possible to identify examples
of such substances from incidents that have occurred in the area.
Three vessels, the Paradise Queen II (1998), the Swordman
I (2000), and the Casitas (2005), all grounded
in the NWHI and had significant quantities of bunker fuel or were
carrying other types of fuel onboard (Cascadia Times 2006; Shallenberger
2004). These substances are harmful to the marine ecosystem and to
the terrestrial environment when washed ashore. In another incident,
a container of the pesticide, carbofuran, washed ashore at Laysan
Island (Friedlander et al. 2005).
1.4.2 Three other ship accidents occurred involving
cargoes that may not be classified as “hazardous substances,”
but that would be harmful if released into this area of the sea. The
first incident involved the Anangel Liberty in 1980 where
2,200 tons of kaolin clay was dumped overboard to lighten the ship
enough to pull it off one of the reefs on French Frigate Shoals. Fortunately,
the currents on that day carried most of the clay out to sea rather
than onto the reef. Had it not, the clay could have smothered coral
thus adversely affecting the ecosystem. The other two incidents involved
the grounding on Laysan of fishing vessels that had evidence of rats
on board. Again, fortunately, the rats did not take up residence on
the nearby island; however, if they had, it would have been extremely
harmful to the ecology of the area because such introduced species
can become “ecosystem busters” and cripple the ecosystem
within that area (Shallenberger 2004).