Crews begin cleaning mustard gas-tainted clam boat isolated off Mass.
By APWednesday, June 9, 2010
Crews begin cleaning mustard gas-tainted clam boat
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Crews have begun decontaminating a clam boat that pulled up eight munitions shells containing mustard gas.
The boat has been isolated off the coast of New Bedford, Mass., for the past few days.
Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Jeff Hall says officials are hoping the New Jersey-based vessel, the ESS Pursuit, will be free to leave by Thursday. He said cleanup crews are relying heavily on elbow grease and bleach, which dilutes the mustard gas.
The Coast Guard had said earlier that the crew pulled up two military shells off Long Island on Sunday. After interviewing a member of the crew, the Coast Guard on Wednesday revised the number of shells to eight.
A crewman was hospitalized Monday with blisters from mustard gas exposure.
