Louisville Oil Spill Recovery Efforts Completed

LOUISVILLE, KY - The Coast Guard along with crewmembers from the motor vessel Caleb Lay and the motor vessel Harry Brock have successfully completed oil recovery efforts at mile marker 610 on the Ohio River today.

At approximately 9:30 this morning the motor vessel Harry Brock and the motor vessel Caleb Lay were working together to free a grounded barge when they collided with each other causing minor damage to a lube oil tank onboard the motor vessel Harry Brock.

A Coast Guard pollution response team was dispatched to the scene and determined that less than 10 gallons of oil had entered the water and that there was no threat of additional pollution. The team also worked in partnership with both towing vessels to ensure that the spilled oil was contained and recovered quickly with absorbent pads and boom.

“The quick response of the crewmembers from both towing vessels in containing the oil, greatly minimized the environmental impact and further reduced clean-up operations on the Ohio River,” said Ensign Kirk Beckmann, public affairs officer for Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley.

The Coast Guard is continuing its investigation into the cause of this incident.

Coast Guard responds to oil spill near Louisville

Louisville, KY - The Coast Guard is responding today to the report of a minor oil spill from the motor vessel Harry Brock, west of downtown Louisville at approximately mile marker 610 on the Ohio River.

At approximately 9:30 this morning the motor vessel Harry Brock and the motor vessel Caleb Lay were working together to free a grounded barge when they bumped each other causing minor damage to the motor vessel Harry Brock.

Crewmembers aboard both vessels worked to contained the leak on the Harry Brock while also deploying a 90-foot oil containment boom around the damaged vessel.

No damage was reported to the motor vessel Caleb Lay.

The Coast Guard has deployed a pollution incident response team to the site and is also currently investigating the cause of this incident.

The Coast Guard is working closely with the vessel owner to minimize any potential environmental impact.