Coast Guard Heartland Office: well59response@gmail.com
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NEW ORLEANS — The Unified Command, consisting of the Coast Guard, Spectrum OpCo, LLC (Operator), and the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office (LOSCO), continue to respond to mitigate public safety and environmental threats from an oil and natural gas release in coastal Louisiana.
As of 11:00 a.m., the Unified Command has more than 170 responders supporting response efforts. This includes the deployment of 6 MARCO skimmers, 6 drum skimmers, and a variety of recovery storage equipment. Boom deployment continues, with 10,800 feet of 18” containment boom already in place and 3,200 feet on standby. Responders have also deployed 382 bales of absorbent boom to protect nearby islands. To date, Oil Spill Removal Organizations have recovered an approximate total of 23,268 gallons of an oily water mixture.
Current amount of oil discharged is still unknown at this time. A well control contractor is on-scene and continuing source intervention and control operations. Well intervention equipment is on-scene with more enroute, and response teams are actively refining plans to safely shut in the well and secure the source of the release.
A safety zone is established around the response area, and the public should avoid the vicinity to ensure both their safety and that of the response personnel. Safety zone information can be found here. Aerial surveys are ongoing through both drone and helicopter overflights, and air monitoring has not indicated any immediate concerns in the response area. The temporary flight restriction remains in place for a two-mile radius up to 2,000 feet.
There have been no reports or observations of impacted wildlife. Mariners are encouraged to report observations of oil to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802 and any observation of impacted wildlife to Wildlife Hotline Phone Number at 832-514-9663. Additionally, individuals or businesses directly impacted by the incident can contact 1-866-601-5880 for assistance and information.
“Our top priority remains the safety of the public and our responders," said Captain Gregory Callaghan, U.S. Coast Guard’s Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the incident. "The Unified Command is working around the clock to secure the source of the discharge as safely and quickly as possible. We are committed to minimizing further impacts to the environment.”
Coordinating agencies and response stakeholders include:
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)
- Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF)
- Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ)
- Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources (LDENR)
- Plaquemines Parish Government
- Forefront Emergency Management (FEM)
- Environmental Safety & Health Consulting Services Inc. (ES&H)
- Clean Gulf Associates (CGA)
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
Media should direct inquiries to well59response@gmail.com.
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