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NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard responded to a barge leaking near on the lower Mississippi River near New Orleans on Sunday.
The incident occurred around 6 a.m. near mile marker 93 on the river. A towing vessel, the Dixie Express, had two loaded barges when a passing vessel caused a wake that resulted in one of the barges to break away, the Coast Guard says.
The barge then struck a concrete wall that created a hole and caused an estimated 9,700 gallons of biodiesel to leak out.
OMI Environmental Solutions crews were able to apply absorbent pads to stop the spreading of the oil. According to the Coast Guard, the leak has been stopped.
No injuries were reported and no waterway restrictions were issued.
