The slick is unrelated to last year’s spillage when the anchor of a cargo ship ruptured an underwater pipeline.

On Oct. 1, 2021 a commercial ship reported a possible oil spill near a flotilla of boats moored off Huntington Beach. Four days later, it had become clear that a ship’s anchor had caught a section of Amplify Energy Corp’s eighteen mile long oil pipeline, rupturing the line and bowing a 4,000 foot section, dragging it 105 ft from its original position.

Cargo ships enroute to the Long Beach port, frequently sail above the oil line and are given coordinates to safely anchor while waiting to unload. The anchors of these large cargo vessels can weigh up to ten tons. Satellite images show as many as seven ships traversed the area around the time of the accident.

The rupture allowed 25,000 gallons of crude oil to spill into the ocean and spread into the Talbert Channel. Crude washed onto beaches, restricting fishing for months and affecting marine birds and animals in the area.

Now one year later, on Oct.7, an oil sheen once again appeared in the Talbert Channel. This time the source is believed to be from an abandoned pipeline. Crews working on a flood-control upgrade, first noticed and reported a light sheen in the water. The clean-up began with booms being used to contain the minor slick. No marine was seen to be affected.

A key permit for the underwater repairs of the Amplify line was issued on Sept. 30 2022, almost a year from the date of the anchor accident. Repairs would restore the transport of crude from the Ellie Platform to containers in Long Beach. The restoration could reduce some of the stress of California’s energy demands.

Public officials are unsure of how to solve the problem, as homeless individuals often do not want to be helped.

Huntington Beach has experienced exponential growth in its homeless population in recent years, with city officials resorting to nonprofits and a police task force to deal with ongoing incidents between these individuals and the public, though the homeless continue to deny services.

According to the county’s 2022 Point-In-Time (PIT) calculations–a count conducted every three years estimating the number of homeless individuals in the county–Huntington Beach now has around 330 homeless individuals. And in the 28 square mile city, law enforcement has already intervened multiple times this month via their Homeless Task Force, as per the HBPD’s twitter.

The city’s Homeless Task Force routinely patrols the city, conducting outreach to those experiencing homelessness, according to a statement from HBPD.

As of Aug. 4, the agency has made 46 arrests in the last two months of some of these individuals after they were caught loitering a private parking lot and adjacent areas.

In a statement from the department, HBPD notes its continued effort to work collaboratively with both individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as private citizens in hopes of improving ‘overall quality of life’ through these interventions.

“These arrests, along with our efforts to connect subjects experiencing homelessness to various resources, are done to improve the quality of life for everyone,” HBPD issued in a statement. “We are grateful for the relationships we build with the businesses and residents in the City to ensure the safety of all.”

In addition to previous arrests, HBPD noted its continued efforts to build “positive relationships” with these individuals to connect them to resources, such as temporary housing or drug rehabilitation treatment.

As of Aug. 18, the task force reportedly conducted additional outreach along a stretch of railroad tracks within the city owned and operated by Union Pacific Railroad, working alongside the city’s public works department and the railroad.

In addition to their task force, the city has employed a litany of other sources to aid its mission in tackling homelessness, including social workers, non-profits, religious institutions, and local government agencies. Part of the issue, according to officials, is individuals not yet ready to receive help or services.

The course teaches children how to be safe around the ocean’s hazards.

Huntington Beach’s Junior Lifeguard program will have students ages 9-17 graduating tomorrow, after they spent the summer learning about ocean safety.

The program, which runs from June to August, teaches over 1,200 students about swimming safely in the ocean and exposes “them to an environment that will teach them courtesy, respect, discipline, sound morals, and good sportsmanship.” Children get to spend time with a lifeguard and also learn about rip tides, waves, sportsmanship, and lifeguard operations, according to the city. 

The world-renowned safety course has been taught since 1964, and includes many other activities such as a three mile run, swimming activities such as a pier swim, and public safety from the Huntington Beach Fire and Police departments. 

This year, children also learned about CPR, a first for the program, with the intention that the junior lifeguards will go home and teach their family members.

Wrapping up their last week, the junior lifeguards are set to grad