MARCH 14, 2013 — The Coast Guard reported today that response operations continue for a tug and barge that allided with a pipeline near Bayou Perot 30 miles south of New Orleans Thursday (see earlier report).

The Coast Guard is conducting a full investigation of the incident to determine the cause of the incident. No conclusions have been drawn at this time.

Personnel from T&T Salvage aboard the Todd Michael spud barge are on scene for cooling operations of the tank barge. The fire remains stabilized.

Responders continue to monitor and ensure the integrity of the barge is maintained to allow for safe salvage operations as soon as the fire is extinguished.

The Coast Guard has placed temporary flight restrictions over the airspace near the Shannon E. Settoon barge at and below 5,000 feet within approximately a one-mile radius. Responders have deployed 10,400 feet of boom around the tank barge to contain any possible pollution risks.

A Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew is currently conducting an overflight assessment of the pipeline fire and is reporting the condition of the tug and barge to the unified command.

Approximately 2,200 barrels of crude oil remain on board the barge and have not been compromised.

There are approximately 40 response personnel on scene.

Resources deployed for the incident:

The 160-foot Coast Guard Cutter Axe and crew;

Twenty-thousand feet of containment boom on scene;

Two Marco skimmers;

Ten response vessels;

Two oil spill response trailers.

The unified command consists of the U.S. Coast Guard, Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office, Settoon Towing and Chevron. Contracting organizations include ES&H, CTEC Air Monitoring, T&T Salvage and Resolve Marine.

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