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MAY 2026

Grounded Ships and Oil Pollution: How Response and Restoration Minimize Harm and Promote Recovery

Ship grounding, or running aground, refers to a vessel unintentionally making contact with the seabed, a waterway side, or underwater structures. Despite advances in navigation, such as satellite-based tools and precise nautical charts, ships of all sizes can still run aground in U.S. waters. The vessels’ fuel and cargo can pose a pollution risk, and when in sensitive areas can cause significant environmental harm often critical to the economies and cultures of the surrounding coastal communities.

NOAA responds to ship groundings when they fall within our legal authorities. This allows NOAA to assess injuries, recover damages from responsible parties, and carry out restoration. 

Restoring Coastal Communities After Pollution

For over 30 years, NOAA and partners have recovered over $10.8 billion to restore fish, wildlife, and habitats harmed by pollution. Restoration also provides economic and cultural benefits to coastal populations, benefiting local communities and ocean economies. Visit the Damage, Assessment, Remediation and Restoration Program website to learn more about our work in coastal recovery. 

DARRP is a joint program of the NOAA National Ocean Service's Office of Response & Restoration, NOAA Fisheries' Office of Habitat Conservation, and NOAA Office of General Counsel, Natural Resources Section.