Ship Collision Closes Part of Mississippi River

PlusShip Collision Closes Part of Mississippi RiverShip Collision Closes Part of Mississippi RiverThe Associated PressCrews are using vacuum skimmers to clean up more than 400,000 gallons of oil that spilled into a stretch of the Mississippi River from New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico. The oil spilled form a barge after it collided with a tanker. (July 24)The Mississippi River from New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico is shut down to ships -- after tanker and a barge collided.The accident spilled thousands upon thousands of gallons of fuel oil into the river. In addition to the environmental damage -- the concern now is for local drinking water in one area near New Orleans. SOT: Billy Nungesser PLAQUEMINES PARISH PRESIDENT On the East Bank people need to be very careful. Do not do things you don't need to do. Don't bathe, brush your teeth. Minimal things, because it'll last longer. Local officials have called for a state of emergency since there's no backup system once the water they do have -- runs out. SOT: We received a message from the coast guard that they've established a safe zone, which means that there shouldn't be any traffic or any activity in that area. Our water intake system is within that zone, so our intake system remains shut down at this point. No one was hurt in the accident. Authorities say the barge was being pulled by a tugboat -- and that the operator of the tugboat was being run by someone without a proper license.SOT: in any kind of accident of this nature, the barge owner is ultimately responsible. We are taking steps to get the crews for the necessary cleanup. It's not known how long clean up will take. The sheen of oil extends nearly 100 miles, from New Orleans to the Gulf. Nor is it known how long this part of the river will be closed to ships. Both the Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the accident. ___ ___, The Associated Press.

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[rocksiphone]

This well was an abandoned oil well, why would anyone abandoned a well that produces oil, its shooting 100 feet into the air.? I think the oil is coming from the Macondo Capped well; they are holding back the oil and the pressure is pushing the oil everywhere else.

[HistoryTours]

Billy nungesser is engaged I hear to Craig Taffaro"s sister go figure

[HistoryTours]

what about Saving the metro new orleans residents from The toxic oil coated ships that are being allowed through our drinking water source?

where is Billy "lil obama" Nungesser stand on Public Health and Safety? sure I feel badly about the wildlife Mostly the Human Ones who are as clueless as a Oil covered Ostrage with his head stuck in the sand! WAKE UP PEOPLE AND SIMPLY THINK ABOUT IT!

[MuddyMississippiMan]

@Ryan40272 wow bigkyle is stupid, one barge isnt going to make gas prices go up at all, hell they could take out a whole Kirby tow and gas prices wouldn't be affected

[RSWebDotCom]

Some people can be so stupid...namely Urchinking.

[Ryan40272]

You obviously have no idea how much oil is really transported if you think one barge will make gas go up. I load this barges for a living. If you think that will make gas go up, dont drop a gallon of milk at the store cause I would hate for the milk to rise

[CAJUNNSC]

Well, this should help to remind people of the dangers of oil transport and drilling, production of oil on our water ways and Gulf of Mexico area. Let's face it, one spill leaves it's effects for years. So is it really worth it to MAYBE save a buck or two on fuel ten years from now? Think about it. Accidents will happen and when they do, we'll pay for it, regardless. So will our children and so on.

[Urchinking]

Don't bathe or brush your teeth. yea right, they already don't do that down there. as for skimmimg the oil? no problem, the hicks are lining up with rags and buckets so they can fire there stills on the cheap.

[hozehd]

hopefully people don't die of thirst.

[bigkyle07]

Gas will go up because of this!