Coast Guard responds to sunken vessel in Charenton Canal
NEW ORLEANS, LA
The Coast Guard is responding to the sinking of a towing vessel on the Charenton Canal, Charenton, Louisiana, Thursday.
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders were notified the towing vessel Mrs. Baye sank in the middle of the Charenton Canal at approximately 5:30 a.m.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Morgan City Captain of the Port David McClellan has closed the canal to commercial vessel transits at that location due to the sunken vessel blocking the navigable channel.
The three crewmembers were safely removed from the vessel with no injuries reported.
The towing vessel is reportedly carrying an estimated 4,000 gallons of fuel, 50 gallons of oil, and 40 gallons of waste oil on board.
A small sheen was reported. Responders deployed containment boom around incident to minimize environmental impact.
The Coast Guard is working with the vessel’s owner on a salvage plan to ensure the waterway is safely opened for commerce as soon as possible and to minimize the threat of pollution.
Commercial traffic impacted by the closure may contact the Captain of the Port, who may grant individual passages if they can be shown to be safe.
The Coast Guard is currently conducting an investigation into the cause of the sunken vessel.