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October 23, 2008
FISHING VESSEL KATMAI MISSING IN ALASKA
October 23, 2008
FOUR CREWMEN RESCUED FROM BERING SEA AFTER SINKING OF FISHING VESSEL KATMAI
August 13, 2008
CREWMAN SUFFERS NECK INJURY ABOARD MISSISSIPPI RIVER SHRIMPING VESSEL
July 24, 2008
420,000 GALLON OIL SPILL CLOSES MISSISSIPPI RIVER NEAR NEW ORLEANS
July 21, 2008
COAST GUARD SEARCHING FOR TWO MISSING CREWMEMBERS
July 07, 2008
CRUISE SHIPS RUNS AGROUND NEAR GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK
June 25, 2008
SUPREME COURT REDUCES DAMAGES IN EXXON VALDEZ SPILL CASE; SUGGESTS 1:1 DAMAGES RATIO FOR MARITIME CASES
June 20, 2008
NORTHWEST RECREATIONAL BOATING FATALITIES UP 18%
June 17, 2008
AT-SEA GAS EXPOSURE CAUSES DEATH OF CREWMEMBER
June 16, 2008
INVESTIGATION BEGUN IN FATAL SAILBOAT SINKING
420,000 GALLON OIL SPILL CLOSES MISSISSIPPI RIVER NEAR NEW ORLEANS
Posted by: Joseph S. Stacey
July 24, 2008
Topic: Vessel Crashes and Collisions
A major oil spill closed the Mississippi river just north of New Orleans on Wednesday. The spill occurred when a 62-foot barge carrying the fuel collided with a Liberian-flagged tanker. While the tanker escaped without much damage done to it, the barge split nearly in half, dumping 420,000 of oil into the swiftly-flowing river. The faster-than-usual currents spread the oil sheen downstream, past New Orleans and into the Gulf of Mexico.
The cause of the collision is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. While the exact cause of the accident is unknown, it is known that the tug pulling the barge, the Mel Oliver, had no properly licensed crew onboard; the captain had only an apprentice mate's license, not a master's license. This improper training and licensing is illegal and likely contributed to the collision and spill.
Over 350 people from the Coast Guard, the oil cleanup industry, and other agencies are working to clean up the spill. The slick covered 98 miles at its peak, and is being skimmed and transported away from the river. Officials said that the Mississippi could be closed for several days, delaying at least 60 vessels.
Oil spills can have wide-ranging effects on people in many walks of life. They can destroy the environment and endanger the industries that rely on a clean and healthy maritime ecosystem. If you have been affected by an oil spill, find out about your right under the law. Call the experienced maritime lawyers at Beard Stacey Trueb & Jacobsen today, or visit our website.
