Sinking Tugboat Released Thousands of Gallons of Diesel in an Alabama River

Thousands of gallons of diesel were released into the water after a tugboat sank in the Tennessee River. (Courtesy of Florence Police Department)

A tugboat sank into the Tennessee River in north Alabama over the weekend, releasing thousands of gallons of diesel into the water, authorities said.

According to the Florence Alabama Police Department, the boat released between 3,000 and 5,000 gallons of diesel into the water after it sank near O’Neal Bridge. The department said diesel fuel has begun to wash up the beaches of McFarland Park.

Authorities vacated swimmers from the affected waters and warned locals to stay out of the water and off the beaches until further notice. The park is a popular destination for families that features a beach area, fishing piers, playgrounds, and campsites, according to Florence’s website.

Resident RJ Gibson, who was swimming nearby Sunday morning, said the smell of fuel was strong. “Disgusting smell, very strong, very very strong smell. [It] makes your head hurt,” Gibson told News 19.

No one was aboard the tugboat when it sank, and it’s unclear what caused it to go down, the city of Florence and Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency Director George Grabryan told CNN.

The affected area was contained using a booming technique to prevent further damage and contamination spreading in the river, according to Grabryan. Booms were deployed around the sunken tugboat and across the channel leading out of the Florence Port.

“There will be a crane out there in the morning to assist, and they’ll continue their pumping operation to get the fluid and water out of the tug so it can be raised,” Grabryan added.

Local officials said the diesel spill does not impact the city of Florence’s drinking water treatment plants.

Authorities have not said how long the cleanup will take.

Barges Stuck in Ohio River

The diesel fuel release in the Tennessee River comes as three barges were previously released by accident and got stuck in the Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky in March. One of the barges carried 1,400 metric tons of methanol.

Local authorities said the accident happened when the three barges, part of a group of eleven, escaped from their tugboat after the boat hit a structure at the entrance to the Portland Canal near the river’s McAlpine Locks and Dam. No injuries were reported.

“Three barges are pinned against the lower dam site, one barge is pinned against the Louisville and Indiana bridge pier and all other barges were recovered by other vessels in the local area,” according to a news release.

“There remains no evidence of a tank breach or any leaks, and air and water monitoring resources are in place.”

The barge carrying the methanol was lodged at the dam and, according to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, was “partially submerged.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that methanol is highly toxic to both humans and wildlife. This chemical, classified under the category of “toxic alcohols,” is commonly found in antifreeze, carburetor cleaner, and windshield washer fluids.

More than 80 air quality samples have been taken and all tests showed no evidence of any hazards that would pose a health risk, though teams are continuously monitoring the situation, according to a Louisville government press release.

Louisville Water Co. has reported the incident has not triggered an environmental disaster, and the city’s drinking water remains unaffected.

Efthymis Oraiopoulos contributed to this report.