DONALDSONVILLE, La., Jan. 20 (UPI) -- A sunken replica of a 17th century warship snagged a tugboat on the Mississippi River in Louisiana, causing a small leak of diesel fuel.
U.S. Coast Guard officials said the tugboat Senator Stennis leaked about 30 gallons of fuel into the river after hitting the underwater hazard at Donaldsonville Saturday, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported Sunday. The mishap also led officials to close the river to navigation, the newspaper said.
The tugboat remained entangled with the sunken vessel, Le Pelican, but officials had begun removing its remaining diesel fuel.
Louisiana State Police also were asked by Coast Guard officials to monitor Mississippi River water intake levels to determine the fuel spill's impact.
The newspaper said the Le Pelican had been bought by Donaldsonville as a tourist attraction years ago but it sank twice, most recently in 2004. It had been deemed safe from other shipping because of its proximity to shore.
