Tanker spills heavy fuel oil near New Orleans

The following is text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(NEW ORLEANS) — A unified command consisting of the Coast Guard, Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinators Office, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and Iver Ships is continuing its response to a heavy fuel oil discharge from the foreign-flagged vessel Iver Exporter near Norco, La., on Monday.

An updated estimate of 1,400 gallons of fuel oil was discharged into the river, less than the previously reported 2,600 gallons. The source of the discharge is secured and the vessel is currently moored at the Shell Norco Manufacturing Complex.

The unified command conducted overflights, on-water and shoreline assessments and found shoreline impact from mile marker 126 to 122. At present, the unified command has deployed 40 people and six vessels in response to the incident.

Air monitoring is being conducted along the impacted region, and air quality remains safe.

There are no reports of injuries or wildlife impacts due to the incident.

There are no waterway closures due to the incident and the Unified Command is preparing for Tuesday’s cleanup efforts.

For questions related to the Iver Exporter, please call 845-721-0802.

For claims related to the incident, including vessel decontamination, please call (504) 585-7000.

The cause of the incident is still under investigation.

PREVIOUS REPORT

(NEW ORLEANS) — The Coast Guard is responding to a heavy fuel oil discharge near Norco, La., on Monday.

Watch standers at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at approximately 1 a.m. of a heavy fuel oil discharge from the foreign-flagged vessel Iver Exporter near mile marker 126 on the Lower Mississippi River.

The source of the discharge is reported to be secured.

A reported 2,600 gallons of oil was discharged into the river.

There are no waterway closures or restrictions due to the incident.

The vessel is currently moored at the Shell Norco Manufacturing Complex.

OMI Environmental Solutions, an oil spill response organization, is on scene and responding to the spill.

At this time, there are no reports of wildlife impacts.

The Coast Guard is conducting an over flight to assess impacted areas.

There are no reports of injuries due to the incident.

 “We are working with our federal, state and local partners and the responsible party to oversee the clean up of the discharged fuel to reduce the impacts on the environment,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Jim Langford, the federal on scene coordinator representative at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

By Professional Mariner Staff