Salvage Operations Resume for Capsized Barge

Salvage and clean-up operations resumed yesterday after rough weather that moved into the area Tuesday had suspended all operations. Divers surveyed the barge Saturday evening and discovered a 2.5-foot by 8-foot hole in the top of the number 3 starboard cargo tank. The number 3 starboard cargo tank was damaged sometime after the barge capsized, it contained approximately 563,000 gallons of oil. It is not known how much oil has leaked from the number 3 tank, but divers located oil under the barge. Today's operations are focused on locating the submerged oil, beginning the clean-up process and preparing to remove the remaining oil in the barge's cargo tanks. There was submerged oil located near where the collision occurred. Assets are being mobilized to begin removal of this oil. At approximately 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 14, the double-hulled tank barge DBL 152 capsized. Progressive flooding had caused the barge to roll onto its starboard side on Nov. 14, at about 4:30 p.m. As a weather front moved into the area responders worked quickly to stabilize the barge, and oil clean-up operations were suspended at about noon Tuesday due to the rough seas. The double-hulled tank barge DBL 152 struck some debris Thursday night while en route from Houston to Tampa, Fla. The debris gouged a 35-foot long by 6-foot wide hole in the barge's starboard bow, puncturing both hulls and damaging the number one cargo tank. The double-hulled tank barge DBL 152 was carrying almost 5 million gallons of a thick, heavy petroleum product known as number-six fuel oil. There were approximately 300,000 gallons of oil in the damaged tank. The amount of oil that leaked out is unknown at this time. The 441-foot barge is now at position 29 12.3 degrees north, 093 28.14 degrees west, about 29 miles due south of the Calcasieu Pass, La. and about 100 miles due east of Galveston, Texas. The double-hulled tank barge DBL 152, owned by K-Sea Transportation of New York, is not obstructing marine traffic, and all area waterways remain open. A four-mile safety zone is in effect around the barge. The cause of the incident is under investigation by the Coast Guard.