Media Availability: Coast Guard reopens Mississippi River near New Orleans

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

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-