USCG: Gas Pipeline Ruptures Off Marsh Island, Two Injured

The U.S. Coast Guard has responded to a report of a natural gas pipeline fire, 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Marsh Island.

Namely, Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a notification yesterday at 8:30 p.m. that a natural gas pipeline had ruptured and was on fire. Sector New Orleans directed the launch of a HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing aircraft crew from Aviation Training Center Mobile to monitor the situation.

The dive operation vessel Ms. Kerci was working on the pipeline at the time of the rupture. Two crew members aboard the vessel were injured and escorted to Houma.

The pipeline is reported to be extinguished.

The pipeline’s owner, Boardwalk/Gulf South Pipeline, is sending out a second vessel to repair the ruptured pipeline.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.