Formosa Six; Southwest Pass, Mississippi River

Southwest Pass, Mississippi River | 1997-Apr-11

Initial Notification: The chemical tanker Formosa Six was outbound from the Mississippi River on April 11, 1997, when, at approximately 2025, she collided with the freighter M/V Flora, resulting in a gash approximately 25 feet long, extending down to 10 feet below the waterline, releasing at least 125,000 gallons of ethylene dichloride (EDC). The Formosa Six's #6 port cargo tank was holed and the surrounding ballast tanks damaged. The high specific gravity of the product (1.253) caused it to quickly sink in 43 meters of water. After the collision, the Formosa Six moved approximately three miles to the east and anchored. Logistical constraints, the fact that product was trapped in the ballast tanks, foul weather, and the unavailability of a lightering vessel forced the Formosa Six to remain offshore until May 14. After lightering, repairs, and tank cleaning operations were completed, the vessel was allowed into Louisiana to transit to a shipyard for more extensive repair. USCG district 8. Keyword: none.