MSC Ingrid: Ethyl Mercaptin; Savannah, GA

Savannah, GA | 2006-Mar-03

Initial Notification: Friday 03 March 2006 United States Coast Guard in Savannah, Ga contacted NOAA for scientific Support for a leak of ethyl Mercaptin from a 5000 gallon tank aboard the container vessel MSC Ingrid. The Ingrid is a 964 vessel currently at the anchorage just outside the port of Savannah. The crew notified the USCG of a odor from the tank containing the ethyl mercaptin. No visible leak or puddle has been observed. USCG confirmed the material is not stored in the appropriate type of tank and a deteriated gasket seal at the service port of the tank is suspect. USCG MSU Savannah asked NOAA to provide chemical hazard information as a contingency. Currently, the USCG had the vessel brought into port the evening of March 3. The tank with the Ethyl Mercaptin was safely repaired (a faulty valve was the culprit) and offloaded Saturday March 4th and then shipped via truck and the incident was closed.