NEW ORLEANS – A day after a production platform erupted into flames sending 13 workers into the waters of Vermilion Bay, a Coast Guard helicopter spotted a light sheen near the platform.
“A light rainbow sheen was reported in the vicinity of the Vermillion oil platform by the crew of a Coast Guard helicopter following a Friday morning overflight,” said a statement from the Coast Guard. “The residual sheen, about a hundred yards long by ten yards wide, is believed to be petroleum runoff caused by fire-fighting efforts.”
The cause of the blaze remains unknown but is under investigation.
The 13 workers were later picked up by a supply vessel and flown to Terrebonne General Hospital in Houma with no serious injuries.
The platform, 80 miles south of Vermillion Bay, is owned by Mariner Energy from Houston.
“Federal investigators from BOEM are on the platform to investigate, confirm the source of the sheen and verify that the flow of oil to the platform remains secured,” said the Coast Guard.
