A barge being used as part of a floating platform, broke free on the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. suffered some structural failure . Reports state the barge’s 500 gallon fuel tank began to leak diesel fuel releasing some 50 gallons of fuel into the water. The Coast Guard and local authorities responded and placed a boom around the barge to contain the spill. A pollution response team has been dispatched to the scene.
An 80 foot long fishing vessel sank in the harbour at Pago Pago,American Samoa. The old vessel had been moored in the harbour when it sprung a leak and sunk. No reports of injuries, but some 4000 litres of oil spilled into the harbour. Authorities placed an oil boom around the vessel to contain any further pollution escaping into the harbour. The Coast Guard has started clean up operations and has arranged salvage to refloat the vessel.
The 200 meter long, 37384 dwt bulk freighter Pochard became disabled after suffering engine failure while proceeding along the Kiel Canal. The crew were unable to restart the engine and requested a tow to Kiel, Germany. At Kiel, the engine was fixed and the vessel resume its voyage to St. Petersburg, Russia from Dunkerque. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution being released.
