Crews still cleaning up spill from Mississippi River towboat crash

http://www.omaha.com/article/20131201/NEWS/131209928/1016#crews-still-cleaning-up-spill-from-mississippi-river-towboat-crash

Published Sunday, December 1, 2013 at 1:30 am / Updated at 11:51 pm

LECLAIRE, Iowa (AP) — Work continued Saturday on the Mississippi River at LeClaire to contain oil and diesel fuel spilled from a partially sunken towboat, rescue wildlife and begin the process of removing the boat from the river.

Three salvaging barges surrounded the boat Saturday and the salvage team was making plans to attempt to pump water from the boat and lift it at the same time. That could occur as early as Tuesday, the Quad City Times reported.

The Stephen L. Colby is a 154-foot-long towboat built in 1967. It's owned by Marquette Transportation out of Paducah, Ky.

About 91,000 gallons of diesel fuel and oil were on the boat when it partially sank after hitting something in the water Monday afternoon, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

FULL story at link.