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 affected by river and rainwater in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday.
A Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River prevention team visited a barge that was due to be scrapped, APEX 3503, to determine hull seaworthiness due to high water concerns and discovered water entering the voids Tuesday.
APEX 3503 has a maximum potential of 168,000 gallons of oily water mixture on board. There have been no reports of pollution or sheen.
Heritage Environmental and Illinois & Michigan Oil LLC will deploy boom and there is recovery equipment on board to pump and dispose of the contaminated water.
The Coast Guard continues to work with all maritime facilities to make preparations for the rising river levels.