DATE: September 28, 2009 4:16:41 PM CDT

Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

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Photo Release

Date: Sept.. 28, 2009

Contact:  Coast Guard Public Affairs
(618) 225-9088
 Coast Guard responds to Eagle Tucson grounding at mouth of Mississippi River

NEW ORLEANS -- A grounded tank vessel is currently blocking deep-draft shipping traffic near the mouth of the Lower Mississippi River. The Coast Guard is responding and monitoring efforts to free the vessel from ground. At this time, 35-foot draft or less vessels are allowed to transit past the grounded vessel one at a time.

The tank vessel Eagle Tucson grounded in the Lower Mississippi River's shipping channel near Pilottown, La. at 2:45 a.m. this morning. A 33-foot response boat from Coast Guard Station Venice arrived on scene and detected no evidence of pollution. The Eagle Tucson's crew has sounded the ship's tanks, and encountered no signs of oil leaking or water ingress.

The Coast Guard is closely monitoring efforts to remove the vessel from ground, which are being coordinated by the vessel's operators. Six tug boats are currently on scene to assist the grounded vessel, and a lightering vessel is nearby to remove cargo from the ship if necessary. The Eagle Tucson is currently loaded with approximately 602,000 gallons of crude oil.  

 Photograph of a 33-foot response boat from U.S. Coast Guard Station Venice, La., monitors efforts to free the grounded tank vessel Eagle Tucson, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, near Pilottown, La., at the mouth of the Mississippi. The Eagle Tuscon grounded at approximately 2:45 a.m., Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, and is currently blocking deep-draft shipping traffic.

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, a 33-foot response boat from U.S. Coast Guard Station Venice, La., monitors efforts to free the grounded tank vessel Eagle Tucson, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, near Pilottown, La., at the mouth of the Mississippi. The Eagle Tuscon grounded at approximately 2:45 a.m., Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, and is currently blocking deep-draft shipping traffic.

Click the above image to obtain a high-resolution version.

 
-Photograph of the grounded tank vessel Eagle Tucson is currently blocking deep-draft shipping traffic at the mouth of the Mississippi River near Pilottown, La., Sept. 28, 2009.

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, the grounded tank vessel Eagle Tucson is blocking deep-draft shipping traffic at the mouth of the Mississippi River near Pilottown, La., Sept. 28, 2009.

Click the above image to obtain a high-resolution version.

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