Curta do Bryant

Lower Mississippi River – three-ship collision

The US Coast Guard issued a news release [located at http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2487870/] stating that it is responding to a three-ship collision and oil spill on the Lower Mississippi River near Convent, Louisiana. The bulk carrier Privocean broke free from its mooring. It drifted downstream, striking the moored towing vessel Texas. It continued downstream, striking the tank ship Bravo, which was offloading crude oil. The Bravo crew was able to complete emergency shutdown procedures before it was broken from its mooring and connection points. Privocean was able to get underway and is anchored at mile marker 162. Bravo is now anchored nearby. It is taking on water in its ballast tanks, its propeller is fouled, and the crew is responding to a 126-gallon oil spill on deck. Texas is currently stable, but the crew has been taken to hospital for evaluation. The facility arms have been secured, but not before approximately 420 gallons of crude oil were spilled into the river. Response personnel are on scene. The river is currently closed between mile markers 154 and 163. The incident is under investigation. (4/6/15). Fonte: Dennis Bryant.