The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(NEW ORLEANS) — The Coast Guard is responding to a barge allision at mile marker 95 on the Mississippi River, near the Crescent City Connection Bridge, in New Orleans on Friday.
The tow vessel Lucia allided with barges located at Stone Fleet at 12:17 a.m., after which six barges from the fleeting area broke away.
Approximately 20 gallons of residual petroleum-based product contained in transfer lines at the fleeting area is believed to have discharged into the river. The damaged barge poses no additional risk of pollution as a result of the incident.
The river, which was closed from mile marker 93 to mile marker 96.5, in the vicinity of the Crescent City Connection Bridge, reopened at 10:22 a.m.
The barges that broke free have been secured.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
PREVIOUS REPORT
(NEW ORLEANS) — The U.S. Coast Guard closed the Mississippi River in New Orleans early Friday morning due to a barge collision, WVUE News reported. Five barges broke free from a fleeting area shortly after midnight and were being retrieved. Reports of a small oil leak had not been confirmed by the Coast Guard.
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