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Stranded Shrimper Leaking Fuel Into Gulf

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TBO Staff Report

Published: January 12, 2008

The U.S. Coast Guard is concerned that fuel leaking from a grounded shrimp boat at the entrance of John's Pass may damage the environment.

The 22-foot-commercial shrimp boat, named "Rodac," hails from Reddington Beach. It began taking on water Friday night after it ran aground on a sand bar. Just why the vessel began to sink was unclear Saturday.

The Coast Guard first got a call about the vessel at 10:15 p.m. Friday. Three workers on board were rescued by Sea Tow Tampa Bay. No one was injured.

Part of the boat remains above the water, the Coast Guard said, but about 200 gallons of diesel fuel was leaking into the Gulf. Two-to-three-foot swells prevented response crews from setting up a boom to contain the fuel spill, officials said.

A private company that contains such spills was scheduled to go to the scene this morning to assess what needs to be done.

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