NTSB SENDS GO TEAM TO INVESTIGATE TANKER-FUEL BARGE COLLISION AND OIL SPILL ON MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN NEW ORLEANS

[NTSB Press Releases <NTSBPressReleases@xxxxxxxx>]

Title: NTSB SENDS GO TEAM TO INVESTIGATE TANKER-FUEL BARGE COLLISION AND OIL SPILL ON MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN NEW ORLEANS

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                       NTSB ADVISORY
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National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594

July 23, 2008

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NTSB SENDS GO TEAM TO INVESTIGATE TANKER-FUEL BARGE
COLLISION AND OIL SPILL ON MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN NEW ORLEANS

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The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a Go
Team to investigate the collision of an oil tanker and a
fuel barge causing an oil spill on the Mississippi River
near New Orleans.

At 1:30 AM CDT, the Liberian-flagged oil tanker TINTOMARA
collided with a U.S.-flagged fuel barge DM932 on the
Mississippi River near downtown New Orleans. An estimated
375,000 gallons of oil spilled from the barge into the
river. The oil tanker was not damaged. The barge is
partially submerged and is being kept in place by tugboats.
No injuries have been reported.

NTSB Marine Safety Investigator Tom Roth-Roffy has been
designated as Investigator-in-Charge and will lead a team of
six investigators. NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker is
traveling to New Orleans and will serve as principal
spokesman for the on-scene investigation. Keith Holloway
will accompany the team as press officer.

Keith Holloway may be reached on his cell phone, 202-557-
1350, when he arrives in New Orleans this afternoon.

NTSB Press Contacts:

202-557-1350 (Keith Holloway, New Orleans)
202-314-6100 (Washington)

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