Ammonia Leak; Morgan City, Louisiana

Morgan City, Louisiana | 1997-Sep-05

Initial Notification: Situation: - On 5 SEP, 97 at 1200 hours local time, the Assistant SSC was notified of an anhydrous ammonia leak occurring in Morgan City, Louisiana. - - A cylindrical tank measuring approximately 7'-8' long and 6' in diameter, containing an unknown amount of anhydrous ammonia developed a vapor leak at a facility in Morgan City, Louisiana. The cause of the leak is suspected to be a faulty valve. The US Coast Guard and local Fire Department are on-scene and have established a 600' hot zone around the tank and are controlling the vapors through the use of water spray. A contractor is expected on scene at 1300 hours to pump the product off into another tank. The Assistant SSC provided the USCG with CAMEO/RIDS information, noting the precaution that any runoff water from the vapor control operations will be corrosive or toxic and should be contained and removed as a hazardous substance.- - The USCG Morgan City has contact numbers for the Assistant SSC who is standing by should any further assistance be necessary. USCG district 8.