T/B OCEAN 255; Sarasota, Florida

Sarasota, Florida | 1991-Feb-15

Initial Notification: At approximately 0800 EST a barge carrying 255,000 barrels of diesel and gasoline broke free from its tow at location 27 17.7 N, 83 00.2 W. That location is approx. 25 miles west of Sarasota, FL. The barge number is 255 and is approx 500 feet in length. The barge appears to be undamaged but is riding low in the water with waves breaking onto the deck. On-scene weather is reported as winds from the WNW at 40 kts with seas of 10-12 feet. Attempts to secure the vessel have been hampered by the prevailing weather conditions. The Coast Guard Strike Team has been called in. Predictions based on the observed drift indicate that the barge will enter 10 fathom water at approximately midnight EST 2/16. NOAA SSC, Gary Van Den Berg is enroute to Tampa to assist the Coast Guard. MASS has been notified and is providing trajectory support as required. USCG district 7.