Coast Guard responds to oil release near Galliano, La.

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard is responding to an oil release Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008, at the Pointe Au Chien State Wildlife Management area, near Galliano, La.

The oil release is from an oil wellhead, which was discovered and reported late Wednesday.

Crews from Coast Guard Sector New Orleans, and Marine Safety Units Morgan City, La., and Houma, La., are responding to the release and there has been more than 3,300-feet of containment boom deployed and there is additional 1,200-feet of boom staged nearby. Coast Guard overflights Thursday morning revealed a 75 yard by 1mile long stretch of contaminated waterway.

In addition to the boom, various skimmers and boats are on scene, and more resources are en route and being deployed as needed. Secondary containment boom is in place as an additional safeguard.

Coast Guard spill response technicians continue to monitor the site and the status of the well.

The well was not operational at the time of the incident. Baby Oil, Inc., of Houma, La., is the owner of the well.

The cause of the release is under investigation.

Coast Guard Responds To Oil Sheen In Grand Isle

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard is responding to an oil sheen today that washed up on the beach in Grand Isle, La., early this morning.

Coast Guard Station Grand Isle received a report last night from a passing vessel that sheen was spotted approximately 6-miles off the coast in the Gulf of Mexico near Grand Isle. The station launched a 25-foot smallboat and crew to investigate.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Units in Houma and Morgan City, La., along with the Environment, Safety and Health company are working together to clean up the oil that made landfall with absorbant pads and oil still in the water with absorbant boom.

A 3-mile span of the beach is currently closed due to the safety hazards and for the protection of the public and is being monitored by the Grand Isle Police Department.

The cause of the sheen is under investigation.