Vessel Decontamination Stations Available Around Louisiana

HOUMA, La. – The Unified Command has decontamination stations open for vessels in various locations around Louisiana.

The primary focus of the decontamination operation is to expedite the cleanup of oiled vessels in a safe, organized manner while minimizing further damage to the environment.

Decontamination occurs in two phases, gross decontamination and final decontamination.

Commercial vessels may undergo gross contamination at an offshore cleaning station and then final decontamination at a designated berth or anchorage.

Response vessels may undergo gross decontamination offshore or at a station in designated inland waters before going into port. See map below for locations.

The primary decontamination of oiled recreational vessels can occur at any of the 17 stations available. The station will provide initial decontamination to the point where the vessel is no longer emanating sheen, in accordance with standards established by the Unified Command. Final decontamination, at the request of the boater, includes removing all stains from the vessel hull and can be completed only at the Port Fourchon station at no cost.

Upon completion of the final decontamination in Port Fourchon, recreational vessel owners not satisfied with the cleaning will be provided documentation outlining the BP’s claims process. The Port Fourchon station is the only station where the public can acquire this documentation.

Also, the Vessel of Opportunity program is scheduled to set up a decontamination station near Baptiste Collette Bayou. The program is also scheduled to set up a station near South Pass or Southwest Pass. The exact site has not been determined. These sites have Vessels of Opportunity as a priority.

Large vessel decontamination is done at any station, and the inbound and outbound stations are primarily designed for large commercial vessels such as tankers and freighters.

Boaters wishing to contact a decontamination station while at sea can contact the Decontamination Dispatcher in Houma at 985-493-3343, email at mc252decon@gmail.com or can hail dispatchers via VHF channel 16.