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CAPT MIKE, Sunken Vessel

Gulf of Mexico, off LA Coast        2009-Dec-06

On December 6, 2009, Sector New Orleans reported a sunken vessel approximately 10 miles ESE of Breton Island in the Gulf of Mexico. The initial NRC report on 5 December stated that the vessel was moored to a rig and taking on water before the line parted and the vessel drifted free, unmanned and with no power or lights. The vessel came to rest against a second platform and is now reported sunk at 29° 23.983’ N Lat. 088° 58.204’ W Long. The vessel is reported to be producing only a small sheen (5-10 feet) at present as fuel slowly escapes. The volume of diesel believed onboard at the time of the incident is 3,500 gallons. The USCG requested a trajectory analysis.


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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.

Incident Details

Spill, potential spill, or other: Oil Spill
Cause of incident: Sunken Vessel
Products of concern: Diesel Fuel
Amount spilled (approximate): 3500 gallons
Total amount at risk of spill: 3500 gallons

Latitude (approximate): 29° 23.98' North
Longitude (approximate): 88° 58.21' West

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