A LPG pipeline in a bayou near New Orleans erupted in a massive fireball Tuesday night
after being struck by a tug and barge.
The U.S. Coast Guard said that it responded after crews received a report that the 47-foot tug Shanon E. Settoon pushing a 154-foot oil barge collided with a pipeline at about 6 p.m., Tuesday near Bayou Perot 30 miles south of New Orleans.
All crew members were able to exit the tug, but the captain reportedly suffered second to third-degree degree burns, the Coast Guard said. The statement added that the vessel was on fire and there are reports of oil in the water. Oil spill response ES&H has been hired mitigate any damage from the spill.
“We are aggressively responding with our state and local partners to mitigate the fire and prevent any potential impacts from oil that entered the water, ” said Cmdr. Russ Bowen, incident commander, Sector New Orleans.
The barge was believed to have been holding 92,000 gallons of crude oil and the tug had approximately 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel, the Coast Guard said.
Media reports have indicated that the gas pipeline is owned by Chevron and holds liquid petroleum gas. The pipeline has since been shut off.
The Shanon E. Settoon is owned and operated by Setton Towing. The 700-hp tug was built in 1975 and is based out of Houma, La.
Courtesy of gcaptain.com
