The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) on Tuesday responded to a collision between a tug pushing a barge and a Chevron Pipe Line Co. liquid propane gas (LPG) pipeline near Bayou Perot, 30 miles south of New Orleans.

USCG received a report that the 47-foot tug Shanon E. Settoon was pushing a 154-foot oil barge when it collided with the pipeline at 6 p.m. CDT on Tuesday. All crew members were able to exit the tug; the captain reportedly suffered second to third-degree degree burns, according to USCG.

“Chevron Pipe Line Co. has mobilized emergency crews to assist in the response…” the company said. Chevron “has shut in the impacted pipeline, which connects the Venice [LA] gas plant and the Paradis [LA] pump station.” The company said there was no impact to its operations as product was being rerouted around the shut-in pipeline segment.

A USCG helicopter and a special purpose shallow-water craft were dispatched. The helicopter flyover confirmed a fire, and the tugboat, barge and pipeline were all reported to be burning. There were reports of oil in the water and cleanup firm ES&H was hired as the oil spill response organization.

“We are aggressively responding with our state and local partners to mitigate the fire and prevent any potential impacts from oil that entered the water,” said Cmdr. Russ Bowen, New Orleans USCG incident commander.

USCG said it is working with federal, state and local agencies.

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