Efforts continue to clean up Ohio River cumene barge spill

New York (Platts)--1Mar2007

Efforts continue today to remove 164,285 gallons of cumeme from a
damaged barge in the vicinity of Lock and Dam 52, near Brookport, Illinois,
according to a US Coast Guard statement Thursday. It was estimated that
approximately 10,300 gallons of cumene were released from a damaged cargo tank
into the Ohio River on the afternoon of February 28. Kirby Inland Marine
Representatives, owners of the barge, reported that a large portion of the
spilled product remains in the barge void and that an undetermined amount has
entered the water. The barge was loaded with a total of 960,000 gallons of
cumene stored in six separate cargo tanks.

On the evening of February 28 plans were in place for an empty tank barge
to arrive on scene so that lightering operations could begin. While attempting
to couple the empty barge with the damaged barge, the towboat, Motor Vessel
(M/V) Louie Leone, sustained damaged after striking the lock wall at Lock and
Dam 52. Lightering operations were delayed until damage on the M/V Louie Leone
could be determined and the vessel stabilized. Divers were expected to arrive
Thursday to conduct an assessment of the towboat and perform temporary
repairs.

The damaged barge Kirby refloated due to a rise in the river level and
has been relocated approximately a half mile downstream. Lightering
operations were expected to begin today once the M/V Louie Leone is safely
transported from the scene. Severe weather was forecasted across the area on
Thursday and was expected to delay the lightering operation.

After extensive chemical related atmosphere testing by the Coast Guard,
Kentucky and Illinois Civil Support Teams, and Kirby Inland Marine, the Ohio
River was reopened on February 28, 2007, at 2230 on Wednesday to vessel
traffic.

--newsdesk@platts.com