UPDATE 6: NEW ORLEANS PIPELINE FIRE

UPDATE 6: Assisting agencies complete purging operations.

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard and assisting agencies have completed purging operations of the pipeline fire near Bayou Perot, Monday.

After extensive shoreline assessments and subsequent actions the unified command of the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office, Settoon Towing, Chevron and the Coast Guard have deemed there is no threat of fire or explosions at this time. The emergency response phase has concluded. Agencies will continue to monitor for any environmental impacts from this incident while developing a salvage plan to remove the tug from the bayou and make repairs to the pipeline.

No oil was spilled during this incident. During the course of the response, 12,800 feet of boom was deployed to contain any possible spills that might have happened during the course of the response.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received notification March 12 at 6 p.m., reporting that an allision between a tug pushing a barge and a pipeline resulting fire near Bayou Perot 30 miles south of New Orleans.

There were no impacts to wildlife reported. The four crewmembers evacuated the motor vessel Shannon E. Settoon, and the captain was reported to have suffered second to third-degree burns.

The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.