NOAA Begins Hydrographic Survey Season
New data will update nautical charts around the country. As sure as spring arrives, NOAA vessels and independent contractors are hitting the seas for the nation's 180th hydrographic surveying season, collecting data for over two thousand square nautical miles in high-traffic U.S. coastal waters. "Nautical charts are the foundation for the nation's maritime economy, and NOAA hydrographers spend months at sea, surveying critical areas to ensure safe navigation for the shipping, fishing, and boating communities," said Rear Admiral Gerd Glang, director of the Office of Coast Survey.
Wellhead Secured in Barataria Waterway
The U.S. Coast Guard continues to work with the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office LOSCO, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources LDNR, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality LDEQ, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries LAWLF, the Louisiana State Police LSP, and Jefferson Parish Emergency Services to minimize environmental damage resulting from an allision between a tow vessel and a wellhead in the Barataria Waterway, which occurred at approximately 1 a.m., July 27. The Unified Command Post, established at U.S. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans, is reporting that the wellhead was secured at 6:05 p.m. August 1 and is no longer emitting oil or natural gas into Barataria Bay. The wellhead is also equipped with a light.
USCG Estimates 10-12 Days to Stop Barataria Bay Spill
According to a report from Reuters, the U.S. Coast Guard estimated it will take 10 to 12 days to seal a ruptured wellhead spewing oil and natural gas into Barataria Bay along Louisiana's south coast. The wellhead was ruptured early July 27 when a barge collided with it. An oil slick covering six square miles had spread from the wellhead by Wednesday. (Source: Reuters)
U.S. Coast Guard Responds to Wellhead Allision
The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating an allision between a towing vessel and a wellhead in the Barataria Waterway at approximately 1 a.m., July 27. The tug vessel Pere Ana C, pushing the dredge barge Captain Buford Berry, allided with the wellhead while it transited the Barataria Waterway. The wellhead is currently emanating oil and natural gas into Barataria Bay. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans issued a Broadcast Notice to Mariners that a report of oil release was detected. An…
CG Assists Barge Recovery Systems with Safety During Clean-up
Coast Guard marine inspectors provided safety recommendations to the operators of 11 Shallow Water Barge Recovery System vacuum barges in Empire, La., June 18. The owner/operator of the barges asked the Coast Guard to inspect the vessels, some under construction, to ensure they were safe. The Coast Guard inspectors made recommendations to the owner/operator regarding lifesaving and firefighting equipment, vessel stability and egress issues, leaving the decision to continue construction and operations with the owner/operator. Five of the 11 barges have been engaged in operations today, operating in in Plaquemines Parish in: Bay Jimmy, Red Fish Bay, Pass A Loutre, Four Bayou Pass and Bay Baptiste.
