Tug Miss Janice; New Orleans, LA

Source report excerpt: “Update, 31 Oct. 2008 (Halloween) USCG Sector New Orleans conducted an on-site inspection of the Gretna and Algiers water intakes and are conducting overflights of the Mississippi River to ensure protective booming arrangements are effectively collecting any oil escaping from the vessel. The USCG inspected the East Bank from Governor Nichol's Wharf to Albo St. Dock and did not discover any oil on the shoreline. The OSRO was on-scene this morning at the Gretna intake to change out oiled boom. A second water intake at risk is the Algiers locations. These are also boomed. Currently, the dive support vessel, the BIG EAGLE, is on scene at the wreck site and the plan is to send divers down to plug […]”

Source report excerpt: “Initial Report From USCG: 8OCT 1115 - VESSEL SINKING, UTV MISS JANICE, MM 97.8 LMR: Rcvd a report of a vessel sinking with 4 people in the water. SCC Brfd D8, A/S NOLA, VTC. D8 approved launch; VTC stated vessels are already in the area assisting. 1130: VTC states all personnel out of the water. A/S NOLA to conduct over flight of the river. 1200: Conducted joint conference call with CPD, VTC: VTC can establish one way traffic w/o the need of a safety zone or river closure. There is one deep draft vessel ivo MM 80 LMR who is coming up the river slow. Depth of water in the vicinity is 80 feet; there is 60 ft of depth over the wreckage. ACOE survey boat conducted survey and noted vessel was […]”

Source report excerpt: “Update volume information: Diesel, 14,923 gallons, just topped off the night before (maybe a little less); Hydraulic: 25-30 gallons; Lube: 300 gallons; Waste: 0, just emptied the night before.”

Source report excerpt: “The USCG reported rainbow sheen was located at Murphy Oil, MM 87 during an overflight. Beyond that area, there was some very light sheen observed in streamers located in the middle of the river. All floating oil appeared to be sheens, and remaining in the center of the river (not impacting the shoreline at this time). Both the Gretna and Algiers water intakes have been double boomed and lined with absorbent boom and are being monitored by both an OSRO and USCG Pollution Investigation Team. The Gretna intake boom was reported to contain with recoverable diesel this same morning and was immediately cleaned. All natural collection points and designated water intakes are being monitored either […]”

Source report excerpt: “This is the RP’s current plan (as of 31 Oct.): Submit the salvage plan to USCG on 1 Nov. Start staging their equipment in the area over the weekend. On Monday, 3 Nov., the salvors will load up the equipment onto the LILLY BISSO. At first light on Tuesday, they will move the LILLY BISSO into position and they hope to have the MISS JANICE re-floated by late afternoon. Gretna reported hydrocarbons found in raw water sample at intake structure. This was a verbal report. No details known at this time. The NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator will followup with USCG on Monday. On support was requested over the weekend.”

Source report excerpt: “On the 1st and 2nd of Nov., a CG pollution investigation team conducted a site visit to the sunken vessel. A light sliver sheen, approximately 3/4 of a mile by 20'-30', appeared to be coming up from the location of the wreck. No oil was observed at the Gretna or Algiers water intakes. This was confirmed by a shore side visit to both intakes and an overflight. The Gretna Water Intake was opened on 1 Nov. at 1330 hrs. Analysis of the water samples taken on October 31st by Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals indicated that the level of hydrocarbons present were ten times lower than the samples taken from the same area on October 29th. On 3 Nov., CG Sector New Orleans conducted an […]”

Source report excerpt: “USCG Sector New Orleans had a Pollution Investigation team on scene today to monitor salvage ops for MISS JANICE. Dive operations began this morning around 1015 hrs and will conclude tonight no later than 1800 hrs. The bow has been completely rigged and the salvage team is currently rigging the stern section of the vessel. A salvage crew will stay on the barge overnight to respond if any issues arise. Operations will recommence around 0700 hrs and the vessel will be lifted once all rigging is complete. CG Sector New Orleans will be on scene tomorrow to monitor operations as well. (Update provided by USCG SECTOR N.O.)”

Source report excerpt: “There were no follow-up requests for support made to the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator on this incident. There are no known additional NOAA trustee issues that require follow-up that are related to the Emergency Response Division’s role in emergency response. This record constitutes the final entry for this response.”