Oil Tanker Aground off Coney Island
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Quote:
Tanker Runs Aground Off Coney Island
POSTED: 10:24 am EDT July 12, 2007
UPDATED: 10:48 am EDT July 12, 2007
NEW YORK -- A tanker carrying more than 450,000 barrels of oil ran aground off Coney Island early Thursday, the Coast Guard said.
Something went wrong with the steering system on the ship at about 6:30 a.m., causing the White Sea to turn off course and run into the sandy bottom of Ambrose Channel, one of the main shipping channels for New York City-area ports, said Coast Guard spokesman Chief Bob Laura.
The tanker deployed a boom meant to contain any spills, but none occurred, Laura said. Three tug boats were trying to help the vessel, which was in the waters between Brooklyn's Coney Island and Sandy Hook National Park in New Jersey.
The Coast Guard set up a security zone around the vessel, but traffic departing from the Port of New York and New Jersey was unimpeded, Laura said. All vessels leaving the port to head to open sea must take the route.
The ship is carrying low-sulfur fuel oil and has a capacity of 496,000 barrels, the Coast Guard said.
There were no reports of any injuries.
