Bouchard Barge Spills in Buzzard Bay

On Sunday, April 27, 2003 a barge carrying oil sustained a 12-foot gash, releasing approximately 15,000 gallons of #6 fuel oil to Buzzards Bay. Personnel from the Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup, the Massachusetts Environmental Management Agency, the Division of Marine Fisheries, NOAA, the Coast Guard, and EPA responded to this spill. Absorbent booms were placed around the barge to contain the oil after the initial release. On Monday, April 28, the oil had reached the western shoreline; crews were dispatched to begin the shoreline assessment and cleanup.