October Storm Sinks Barge Carrying 2,400 Gallons of Diesel Fuel in RI’s Narragansett Bay

JAMESTOWN, R.I. (AP) — Crews are working to raise a barge containing diesel fuel that sank in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay during the weekend snowstorm.

The 120-foot-long barge contains 2,400 gallons of fuel and state officials say a “minor” oil sheen is visible on the water.

The barge was operated by a contractor hired to paint the Pell Bridge, which connects Newport and Jamestown. It sank between Saturday evening and noon Sunday.

According to the state Turnpike and Bridge Authority, painting supplies and other hazardous materials were removed from the barge before the storm hit. Four anchors were used to secure the vessel.

The diesel fuel is in three double-walled tanks.

A spokeswoman for the Turnpike and Bridge Authority says the barge should be raised in a few days.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.

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3. RI Emergency Planners Prepping for ‘Perfect Storm’
4. Boston-Based Company Finds ‘Perfect Fuel’ for Athletes
5. Hundreds of Thousands in the Dark from Mass Storm

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Posted by erik devaney on Oct 31 2011. Filed under Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry