The SSC was notified at 0700 PDT this morning by MSO Chicago of a release of approximately 25-50 bbls of gas fuel oil into the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal. The release occurred yesterday, 02JAN02, at around 1345L as the result of a collision of a southbound barge with the Coastal Towing barge CT1112 that was hooked up and transferring fuel oil to a Citgo facility. The collision caused the mooring lines of CT 1112 to snap and the loading arm to break off, sending an unknown amount of fuel oil into shoreside containment and spraying an estimated 25-50 bbls into the Chicago Sanitary Canal (at approximately 41? 39.5'N, 088? 03.24'W). Work crews were able to put boom around the barge and contain most of the product within minutes after the accident. The product in containment onshore appears to be in no immediate danger of entering the canal. USCG district 8.

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Note: Documents are posted chronologically and early reports likely contain factual errors. These errors may be corrected in a later report.