Aviva America barge; Breton Islands in Breton Sound, Louisiana

Breton Islands in Breton Sound, Louisiana | 1991-Dec-22

Initial Notification: On December 22, 1991, 80 to 85 barrels of South Louisiana crude oil leaked from the permanently moored Aviva America barge approximately eight nautical miles (nm) northwest of Breton Island, Louisiana. The barge held 4,700 barrels of product and could cause considerable damage if fully released, but the possibility of a full release was extremely low. Corrosion had caused structural failure to the barge. At the time of the spill, winds were initially out of the west at 10 to 15 knots but shifted to the north at 10 to 15 knots the next day. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was notified of possible impact to the refuge areas on the Breton Islands, which they control, and the possibility of impacts to the northern section of the Delta National Wildlife Refuge. The response was completed by December 30, 1991. USCG district 8. Keyword: skimmers, lightering.