House will hold hearings on New Orleans oil spill

The Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the House Transportation and Infrastructure said it will hold a hearing on last month's oil spill in New Orleans and the subject of safety on the inland river system.

The hearing will be held 10 a.m., Sept. 16 in Room 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

The Coast Guard said about 420,000 gallons of No. 6 fuel oil was spilled when an American Commercial Lines barge, which was being pushed by the tug boat Mel Oliver, collided with the chemical tank ship Tintomara, at about 1:30 a.m. July 23. At one point 100 miles of the Mississippi River was closed during cleanup of the spill.

The Coast Guard said its investigation revealed the Mel Oliver reported there were no properly licensed individuals on the vessel during the time the incident occurred.