HOUSTON, TEXAS —
Coast Guard personnel conducted an on-scene investigation and oversaw oil recovery operations after the 145-foot offshore supply vessel Candy Store ran aground north of Monkey Island, near Cameron, Louisiana, Tuesday.
It is estimated that 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into the marine environment due to damage to one of the vessel’s diesel tanks. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) personnel completed shore and waterside pollution assessments while overseeing the cleanup efforts of the contracted Oil Spill Response Organization (OSRO). Due to weather, including the recent steady rainfall, the spilled diesel fuel has largely dissipated and poses minimal threat to the environment or public.
The vessel owners and OSRO prevented the spill of an additional estimated 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel which were in the damaged tank by transferring the fuel to undamaged vessel tanks and containers.
The cause of the incident is still under investigation.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles personnel are working with the company’s salvage representatives and divers to develop a plan to affect temporary repairs to the vessel so it can be safely moved to a shipyard for permanent repairs.
The vessel poses no threat to navigation at this time.
Contact the duty public affairs specialist at 337-491-7800 for additional information.