The Unified Command, led by the U.S. Coast Guard, Spectrum OpCo, LLC, and the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s office is actively responding to an oil and gas release in coastal Louisiana. The incident has prompted a coordinated effort involving more than 150 personnel and multiple federal, state, and private stakeholders.
By 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 29, the response team has deployed significant equipment and resources to contain and recover the discharge. On site are six MARCO skimmers, four drum skimmers, and a range of recovery storage assets. A total of 7,800' of 18" containment boom is already in the water, with an additional 2,000’ en route and 6,400’ staged for deployment if needed. Crews have also deployed 382 bales of absorbent boom to protect nearby islands.
A Coast Guard release noted oil spill removal organizations (OSROs) have so far recovered approximately 9,492 gallons of oily liquids. The flow rate and total volume of the release remain undetermined. A well control contractor is on scene conducting source intervention and control operations to stem the ongoing discharge.
Aerial surveillance using both helicopters and drones is ongoing, and a temporary flight restriction has been implemented—a two-mile radius up to 2,000 feet—for safety purposes. Air monitoring conducted in the area has not identified any immediate threats to public health.
At this time, no reports or sightings of impacted wildlife have been confirmed. The Unified Command is urging mariners to report oil sightings to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802, and wildlife observations to 832-514-9663.
In addition to the Unified Command members, the response effort is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources (LDENR), and the Plaquemines Parish Government. Private sector support includes Forefront Emergency Management (FEM), Environmental Safety & Health Consulting Services Inc. (ES&H), and Clean Gulf Associates (CGA).
The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
WorkBoat will continue to provide updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.
