These reports describe significant environmental incidents reported to and tracked by the National Response Center. They reflect both new incidents and follow-up information describing actions taken for previously reported events. The NRC publishes Incident Summary Reports periodically upon receipt of documentary information from the Federal On-Scene Coordinator.
| NRC Case #: | 004-97 |
|---|---|
| INSUM #: | One and Final |
| Occurance Date: | 18 January 1997 |
| Location: | Wallace, LA |
| Source: | T/V Stolt Spray |
| Material: | Gasoline |
| Severity: | Medium |
| Quantity Discharged: | 4,400 Gallons |
| Quantity in Water: | 4,400 Gallons |
| Body of Water Affected: | Lower Mississippi River - Mile Marker 143 |
| Federal On-Scene Coordinator: | Marine Safety Office New Orleans, LA |
SITUATION: On Saturday January 18, 1997, a medium gasoline spill occurred when the 541ft Liberian tank vessel STOLT SPRAY suffered a steering casualty and collided with a grain barge on the Lower Mississippi River near mile marker 143. The vessel sustained a 1" x 3' crack in the #1 Port tank that was loaded with 200,000 gallons of pyrolysis gas and ran hard aground near the town of Wallace, LA. The Mississippi river was closed from mile marker 134 to 145. Approximately 100 people were evacuated from the town of Wallace and the Waterford #3 nuclear plant activated emergency procedures due to the high benzene content of the material. The remaining material in the damaged tank was transferred to an undamaged tank and the vessel was refloated. The vessel is restricted to the Gramercy Anchorage pending an inspection and investigation. CASE CLOSED THIS UNIT.