While the platform the spill originated from was run by Amplify Energy, a company that recently emerged from bankruptcy and has a history of federal violations and non-compliance, the Coast Guard is investigating whether the spill was caused by a cargo ship dropping anchor over a pipeline running from the Amplify rig to the shore.
Due to the pandemic, a backlog of container ships are crowding the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Orange County, and some have been forced to drop anchor outside of designated anchorage points mapped out by the Marine Exchange of Southern California. However, captains of these ships have electronic charts showing all known underwater hazards to avoid, including powerlines, internet cables, and pipelines.