Media Availability: Coast Guard reopens Mississippi River near New Orleans
U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 04/13/2018 05:12 PM EDTNews Release |
U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland April 13, 2018 |
Media Availability: Coast Guard reopens Mississippi River near New Orleans
WHO: Cdr. Zac Ford, Response Department head, Coast Guard Sector New Orleans
WHEN: 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Julia Street Terminal, New Orleans, behind Riverwalk mall
NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard has lifted its waterway restriction on the Mississippi River near New Orleans, Friday.
The Unified Command, consisting of the Coast Guard, Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinators Office, Gallagher Marine, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and response personnel are continuing cleanup efforts.
Response teams are continuing cleanup efforts after the vessel Pac Antares struck a pier Thursday near Nashville Avenue Wharf, releasing heavy fuel oil into the Mississippi River.
“We are grateful for the cooperation between all members of the unified command and their efforts to quickly restore commerce and minimize environmental impact,” said Capt. Wayne Arguin, commander, Coast Guard Sector New Orleans.
The Unified Command is preparing for Saturday’s weather. Cleanup operations will continue as long as it is safe to do so.
The Unified Command has deployed 121 people, 29 boats and six skimmers to remove oil from impacted waterways and shorelines.
Air monitoring continues along the impacted region, and air quality remains safe.
There have been no reports of impacted wildlife.
For questions related to the Pac Antares, please call 1-845-721-0802.
For claims related to the incident, including vessel decontamination, please call 1-888-850-8486.
The cause of the incident is still under investigation.
-USCG-