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Posted in Jones Act,Louisiana Maritime News,Maritime Accidents,Tug Boat Accidents on March 15, 2013
LAFITTE, La. — According to various media reports, a tugboat that was pushing an oil barge hit a gas pipeline in a bayou south of New Orleans Tuesday night, causing a fire that left four people injured, one critically.
A tugboat captain was critically injured after his vessel hit a pipeline and caught fire Mar. 12, 2013.
Deano Bonano, an aide to the council chairman in nearby Jefferson Parish, said two crew members from the tugboat were hospitalized.
Officials reported that the tugboat captain was critically injured after the vessel hit a pipeline and caught fire Tuesday.
Coast Guard officials said Wednesday that the fire remains too dangerous to try to put out. About 40 responders continued to monitor the fire on Wednesday.
The gas pipeline, barge and tugboat were all burning, he said.
A U.S. Coast Guard spokesman said flames shot in the air as high as 1,000 feet.
NBC News reported that the pipeline sat in shallow water and contained liquid petroleum gas.
“We are aggressively responding with our state and local partners to mitigate the fire and prevent any potential impacts from oil that entered the water,” said incident commander for the New Orleans area, Commander Russ Bowen.
Energy giant Chevron, who owns the pipeline says the company has isolated the pipeline from other mains; so the incident will only effect what’s in the pipeline and not other areas.
The injured are currently being treated at area hospitals.
The pipeline that was struck carried liquid petroleum gas. A representative for the Coast Guard said the pipeline has been shut off. However, there is 19 miles of pipeline in-between the two nearest shutoff points, and that fuel will still need to burn off.
Four people were on board the tugboat at the time of the fire. The captain received severe burns to more than 75 percent of his body, Coast Guard officials said.
The captain was taken to West Jefferson Medical Center for treatment and is listed in critical condition.
Published by tugboat injury lawyer Gordon & Elias, LLP