CG responding to GoM platform fire

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard is responding to an oil-production platform fire within Breton Sound Block 21 near Breton Island (La.) in the Gulf of Mexico early today (May 22). Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at 2:50 a.m. from an offshore supply vessel. All 28 workers on the platform have been evacuated to Venice, La. There were no reported injuries. The CG conducted an over flight and observed a 1.4 nautical mile sheen drifting southwest of the platform. Initial response vessels are on scene. A boat crew from CG Station Venice is also on scene as well as an HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing aircraft crew from Aviation Training Center Mobile, Ala. The well was shut and production ceased. The platform has an estimated 4,000 barrels of crude oil on board in storage tanks. The incident is under investigation. (Source: Coast Guard 8th District 05/22/15)