Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: July 23, 2008

Contact:  PA3 Jaclyn Young
(618) 225-9008

COAST GUARD CLOSES PORTION OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard has closed a portion of the Mississippi River this morning from mile marker 95 to 99 north of the Harvey Locks here  due to an collision between the motor vessel Tintomara and the tug boat Mel Oliver.

The Coast Guard received a report from a local citizen that a strong smell of diesel was coming from the Mississippi River and has dispatched a marine investigator, a investigating officer and pollution investigators from Coast Guard Sector New Orleans to the scene to inspect for pollution.

No injuries have been reported. 

The cause of the incident is under investigation. 

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U.S. Coast Guard - Saving lives since 1790