Bulk freighter spills fuel oil into Mississippi River in Louisiana

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
 
(NEW ORLEANS) — The Coast Guard and the U.S. Environmental Service are coordinating efforts to investigate and clean up an oil spill found 30 miles west of New Orleans on the Mississippi River at approximately mile marker 135 Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008.
 
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received the report at approximately 3:30 a.m., today that nearly 630 gallons of number 6 fuel oil had discharged from the bulk freighter the, Jimilta II.
 
The cause of the spill is under investigation.
 
By Professional Mariner Staff