T/V Hyde Park; New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana | 1999-Feb-27

Initial Notification: On February 27, 1999, the T/V Hyde Park, en route to Dow Chemical in Baton Rouge, lost power at MM 92 approximately 5 miles south of New Orleans. The vessel careened down river colliding with numerous vessels and river structures, sinking a crew boat and a barge containing caustic soda. During one such collision the aft starboard fuel tank was holed and released a reported 50 barrels of No. 6 fuel oil into the Mississippi River. Product onboard the T/V Hyde Park was 25,000 metric tons of pyrolysis gasoline and an undetermined amount of Bunker C fuel oil. No pyrolysis gasoline was spilled. At the time of the incident winds were from the south at 10 to 15 knots, visibility was good, and the temperature was in the high 50s. The vessel regained power and was anchored at mile MM 79. Containment boom was placed around the vessel in the event of further leakage. MSO New Orleans manned the Crisis Action Center and assumed the FOSC role. USCG district 8. Keyword: boom, pompoms, sorbent pads, sweeps.