Oil spill off Cameron

[cmdrost]

Just got this from a friend at NOAA:

Good Afternoon, All
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Coast Guard MSU Lake Charles just reported a 5,000 gallon spill of crude oil from a platform three miles offshore and south of the general vicinity of Holly Beach. The spill has a sheen 5 miles long and about 50 feet wide and is headed southeast toward the Calcasieu Ship Channel. The response is being handled by Coast Guard Port Arthur and a clean-up responder has been engaged.* The Weather Service has been asked to predict the course of the oil slick based on tides, winds, etc. The Lake Charles Pilots are being contacted concerning ship traffic on our waterway.
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This is a preliminary notice that this event has occurred and may impact operations in our channel. USCG mentioned closing our channel, if necessary, to prevent oiled vessels from contaminating the inside waters of the channel. The undersigned requested a cleaning station be established for vessels using our channel rather than closing the waterway. That request will be considered by USCG.
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Only very preliminary information is available at this time and the Calcasieu Ship Channel has not yet been impacted. Further information will be sent to you as it becomes available.
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Thanks,
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Channing F. Hayden, Jr.
Director of Navigation and Security
Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District
Office: 337-493-3620
Cell: 337-912-9817