Coast Guard investigates tanker allision in Baton Rouge, La.

DATE: February 10, 2007 3:06:45 PM CST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Office of External Affairs U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release	Date: Feb. 10, 2007 Contact: PA1 Nyx Cangemi (504) 319-2229
COAST GUARD INVESTIGATES TANKER ALLISION IN BATON ROUGE, LA.
NEW ORLEANS - Personnel from Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge, La., are investigating the cause of an allision between the I-10 bridge and an oil tanker in Baton Rouge today. The Coast Guard received the report at about 8:45 a.m. that the 798-foot tanker Kition had allided with the bridge at mile marker 229 along the Lower Mississippi River near the Port Allen Route. The Kition is a Bahama-flagged tanker, owned by Kition Shipping Co. Ltd. in Switzerland. The tanker was carrying 466,000 barrels of carbon black crude oil at the time, an there are no reports of injuries or pollution. The tanker has been moved and is restricted to Mill Anchorage at mile marker 228 along the Lower Mississippi River. The waterway remains open, and the cause of the accident is currently under investigation by personnel from Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge. ###