Saturday, May 23, 2015

Coast Guard continues response to platform fire in Gulf of Mexico


Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report Friday, May 22, 2015, at 2:50 a.m. from the offshore supply vessel Miss Katherine reporting a fire on board an oil production platform in Breton Sound Block 21. All 28 people aboard the platform were evacuated to the offshore supply vessel and were taken to Venice. No injuries were reported. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by MST3 Liam Mcdonnell)
Breton Sound Block 21 oil platform fire.  (U.S. Coast Guard photo by MST3 Liam Mcdonnell)

NEW ORLEANS, LA

The Coast Guard continues to respond to a report of a platform fire near Breton Island.

The platform fire continues to burn. The maximum potential release has been reduced from 4,000 barrels to 130 barrels.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at 2:50 a.m. from the offshore supply vessel Miss Katherine reporting a fire on board an oil production platform in Breton Sound Block 21. All 28 people aboard the platform were evacuated to the offshore supply vessel and were taken to Venice. No injuries were reported.

Response vessels are on scene with additional vessels en route. Fire teams are preparing to employ measures to extinguish the fire.

Spill response equipment and personnel, including boom and skimmers are en route to help protect the Breton National Wildlife Refuge with boom.

A small boat crew from Coast Guard Station Venice is on scene, as well as an HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing aircraft crew from Aviation Training Center Mobile, Ala.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.