Coast Guard responds to barge taking in river and rainwater

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/04/2017 10:31 PM EDT

united states coast guard

News Release  

May 4, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008

Coast Guard responds to barge taking in river and rainwater

 

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard is responding to a barge affected by river and rainwater in Memphis, Tenn., Thursday. 

A Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River prevention team visited a barge that was due to be scrapped, the APEX 3503, to determine hull seaworthiness due to high water concerns and discovered water entering the voids Tuesday.

The APEX 3503 has a maximum potential of 168,000 gallons of oily water mixture on board. There have been no reports of pollution or sheen.

Heritage Environmental and Illinois & Michigan Oil, LLC, will deploy boom and there is recovery equipment on board to pump and dispose of the contaminated water.

The Coast Guard continues to work with all maritime facilities to make preparations for the rising river levels.

 

-USCG-