Americas News
Spill As Multiple Vessels Collide During Bunkering
The U.S. Coast Guard today said it is investigating after multiple vessels collided on the Lower Mississippi River during a bunkering operation late on Tuesday evening.
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans command centre said the Maltese-flagged 56,000 dwt bulk carrier Flag Gangos lost power and steering near mile marker 97.4.
The vessel subsequently collided with the Liberian-flagged 105,000 dwt oil tanker Pamisos and the barge Web 235, both moored at the International Matex Tank Terminals, while the crew of the towing vessel Capt. Shawn D. Martinez were conducting a bunker transfer.
An unspecified amount of number six fuel oil was spilled after the barge broke free, although the Coast Guard noted the hose was shut off immediately following the incident.
Responders were reported to have deployed a containment boom in the area of the incident, and while both Pamisos and Web 235 were damaged, no injuries were reported.
In February 2012 a 5-mile stretch of the Mississippi River was closed after a barge collision and bunker spill just north of New Orleans.
