Coast Guard Cleans Up Oil Spill From Barge Accident Under Mississippi River Bridge

Posted in Barge Accidents,Jones Act,Louisiana Maritime News,Maritime Law,Mississippi Maritime News,Tug Boat Accidents on February 9, 2011

PORT ALLEN, LA  – The Coast Guard cleaned up 2,100 gallons of leaked vacuum gas oil that spilled into the Mississippi River after a barge and towing vessel collided early Sunday morning on February 6th. The spill does not pose any health risks, the Coast Guard said.

According to the Coast Guard, the barge accident happened around 5 a.m when the towing vessel hit the barge as it was loading vacuum gas oil under the Port Allen side of the Mississippi River Bridge.

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“All potentially impacted water intakes have been notified, and no report of contamination has been reported,” the Coast Guard stated in a news release. “At this point in time, the [vacuum gas oil] is gathering at a natural collection point located at Mile Marker 223 (just North of Dow Chemical) in the form of tar balls ranging in size from golf balls to baseballs.”

The Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit in Baton Rouge is investigating the crash