Barge Fire; Atchafalaya River

Atchafalaya River | 2000-Jan-25

Initial Notification: On 25 February Coast Guard MSO New Orleans received a report that four gasoline tank barges pushed by the M/V Melinda Brent allided with the Simmesport R/R bridge located at mile marker 4.9 on the Atchafalaya River. The four barges had broken loose from the towboat and three were fully involved in fire. An unknown amount of gasoline was leaking into the river. Barges are lashed together and are located at mile 14.5. Total product onboard the four barges was 70,000 bbl (2,940,000 gallons) of gasoline. NOAA was asked to provided scientific support relative to possible fate scenarios and resources at risk. The river was at normal-to-low water levels, and well within its banks. Therefore, the resources of greatest risk are those in the river itself. Gasoline is expected to completely evaporate, so the risk to aquatic resources is from acute toxicity from exposure to the highly soluble toxic fractions and near the source. Transport down river was not expected to be uniform. Gasoline could collect in eddies and oxbows, and present a potential for downstream localized hazards. In these collection areas, the gasoline could also absorb to available organic material. In addition, a local toxic shock to biota in shallow nearby areas was possible. Pallid sturgeon (a listed endangered species) were present in the river, but were predicted to be concentrate at the control structure (upstream of the release site and not at significant risk). Other rare species thought present in the river at the time of the incident were paddlefish and blue suckers. These fish are highly mobile able to avoid exposures that would result in death. Exceptions might be to juvenile fish in shallow areas close to the shoreline. The greatest risk was to the commercial fishery. An estimated 25-30 commercial fishermen worked the stretch threatened. Commercial fisheries at risk included buffalo, freshwater drum, and several species of catfish. Other resources present in the area included eagles and wading bird colonies. For two days the barges were allowed to burn. When the fire significant subsided, fire suppression experts attached the fire with water and foam. The barges were then allowed to cool and possible reignition minimized by a foam blanket. All barges were lightered and moved off scene by the evening of 28 February. Only a "negligible amount" of gasoline was thought lost downstream. USCG district 8.