01/27/2010 Part 2: Port Arthur Oil Spill Update

Update 8: COLLISION AND OIL SPILL IN PORT ARTHUR, TX SHIPPING CHANNEL

1/27/2010 Time: 1200

Situation:

Mid-day update to the unified response to the collision and oil spill from the tankship “Eagle Otome.” To date, 6,343 barrels of crude oil have been recovered, evaporated or dispersed naturally of the 11,000 barrels spilled. Current response assets include 27 oil skimmers, 23 oil vacuum vehicles, 61,850 feet of containment boom and over 550 personnel employed.

The waterway closure remains in effect, with Unified Command Staff working diligently to develop a plan and time frame to re-open. Limited vessel traffic has begun to transit the river this morning.

One cargo vessel is currently transiting the waterway en route to the Port of Beaumont. This test run is a major accomplishment just 96 hours following the initial incident. Additionally, the M/V Eagle Otome is offloading 500,000 gallons of essential cargo at the Sun Oil Terminal in Nederland, TX..

Public Affairs:

Industry points of contact are urged to communicate their concerns through the daily conference call coordinated by the Sabine-Neches Port Coordination Team.

Photos can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/portarthuroilspill

Contact numbers for the Unified Incident Command are as follows:

Joint Information Center/Public Affairs: (713) 578-3080 or (832) 293-1293
Oiled Wildlife Hotline: (888) 709-9798

Further questions regarding this incident may be directed to Mr. Jeremy Hansen, Liaison Officer (409) 284-5775, or LTJG Erin Chlum, Assistant Liaison Officer (337) 912-2073.

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