The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to an oil spill of more than 3,360 gallons after a dredging vessel capsized in the Mississippi River near Meraux.
The New Orleans Sector was notified of this incident at around 12:50 a.m. yesterday.
The capsizing vessel in question, the W.B. Wood , had two people aboard who were rescued by a towing vessel known as the Omaha.
“Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Incident Management Division is coordinating with Wood Resources, LLC in overseeing the pollution response and plans to salvage the capsized vessel,” said the Coast Guard.
“The responding oil spill response organization, Environmental Safety & Health Consulting Services (ES&H), has three response boats on scene, is conducting skimming operations, and has recovered more than 3,360 gallons of oily water mixture.”
At the moment, they are investigating correlating pollution reports to ensure no additional areas along the Mississippi River have been impacted.
The Coast Guard also added that this complete incident is still under investigation.