UPDATE 4 – NECHES RIVER OPENS; OIL SPILL CLEAN UP CONTINUES

PORT ARTHUR, Texas – The Unified Command overseeing the oil spill clean up has opened the Neches River today at 11:45 a.m.

“The opening of the Neches River to coordinated traffic is a major milestone in the clean up and recovery process,” said Capt. Sharon Richey, commanding officer of Marine Safety Office Port Arthur and Captain of the Port. “We conducted an overflight of the river this morning and it showed us the bulk of the recoverable oil has been removed from the channel. This led to the decision to open the Neches River from just north of the DuPont plant to the Veteran’s Bridge to one-way traffic, traveling at a slow bell, minimizing impact on residual clean up operations.”

As of 11 a.m. today, there were seven outbound ships, six inbound ships and 70 barges waiting to transit the Neches River. The first ship to transit the river will be the tanker Petro Zauodsk, which will be heading outbound from Sun Terminal.

Crews continue to clean up oil along the shores of the river. As of 8 a.m. today, more than 29,600 gallons of oil-water mixture has been recovered. The recovered oil is being taken to a holding tank at the local UNOCAL facility where it will be recycled. The oiled snare boom and adsorbent pads are being stored in roll-off boxes to be disposed of later.

If anyone observes any oiled wildlife, they are requested to immediately contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife at (281) 842-8100. Please do not attempt to capture any of the wildlife.

UPDATE 4 – NECHES RIVER OPENS; OIL SPILL CLEAN UP CONTINUES

PORT ARTHUR, Texas – The Unified Command overseeing the oil spill clean up has opened the Neches River today at 11:45 a.m.

“The opening of the Neches River to coordinated traffic is a major milestone in the clean up and recovery process,” said Capt. Sharon Richey, commanding officer of Marine Safety Office Port Arthur and Captain of the Port. “We conducted an overflight of the river this morning and it showed us the bulk of the recoverable oil has been removed from the channel. This led to the decision to open the Neches River from just north of the DuPont plant to the Veteran’s Bridge to one-way traffic, traveling at a slow bell, minimizing impact on residual clean up operations.”

As of 11 a.m. today, there were seven outbound ships, six inbound ships and 70 barges waiting to transit the Neches River. The first ship to transit the river will be the tanker Petro Zauodsk, which will be heading outbound from Sun Terminal.

Crews continue to clean up oil along the shores of the river. As of 8 a.m. today, more than 29,600 gallons of oil-water mixture has been recovered. The recovered oil is being taken to a holding tank at the local UNOCAL facility where it will be recycled. The oiled snare boom and adsorbent pads are being stored in roll-off boxes to be disposed of later.

If anyone observes any oiled wildlife, they are requested to immediately contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife at (281) 842-8100. Please do not attempt to capture any of the wildlife.