Coast Guard, local agencies responding to barge leaking biodiesel

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 03/25/2018 01:38 PM EDT

united states coast guard

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

March 25, 2018

Coast Guard, local agencies responding to barge leaking biodiesel

 

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard and local agencies are responding to a barge leaking biodiesel near mile marker 93 on the lower Mississippi River near New Orleans, Sunday. 

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders received a report at 6 a.m. of the uninspected towing vessel Dixie Express with two loaded red flag barges moored at industrial locks when an underway vessel reportedly caused a wake that resulted in the breakaway of one of the barges. The barge struck the concrete wharf wall resulting in a hole in the barge that has discharged an estimated 9,700 gallons of biodiesel. The maximum potential is 21,150 gallons of biodiesel.

OMI has deployed boom and applied absorbent pads to mitigate the spread of oil. The leak is reportedly stopped.

Involved in the response are:

  • Coast Guard Sector New Orleans
  • OMI Environmental Solutions

No injuries were reported and no waterway restrictions have been issued.

 

-USCG-