CG Responds To Sunken Vessel, Oil Discharge

The Coast Guard responded to a sunken vessel discharging oil near Mile 8 on the Big Sandy River near Butler, W.Va., January 10.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Huntington watchstanders received a report at 7:40 a.m. of the mv. Gate City sunk at its mooring and discharging oil into the river with a maximum potential of 5,000 gallons.

A Marine Safety Unit Huntington pollution response team arrived on scene and worked with the oil spill response organization in Weavertown to deploy boom, contain the oil and begin cleanup operations. Neptune Marine Survey was also on scene to access the vessel and develop a plan to remove any remaining oil from the vessel.

The Coast Guard, along with West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection, are investigating the incident.

The 2,400 hp. Gate City was built in 1956 by St. Louis Ship for Hutchinson Barge Line of St. Louis, and was originally named Larry Turner. It was most recently owned by Western Rivers Assets LLC, Ashland, Ky., but was delisted in 2011.