Special to The News

HOUSTON — Coast Guard personnel conducted an on-scene investigation and oversaw oil recovery operations after the 145-foot offshore supply vessel Candy Store ran aground north of Monkey Island, near Cameron, Louisiana, on Tuesday.

About 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into the marine environment due to damage to one of the vessel’s diesel tanks. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality personnel completed shore and waterside pollution assessments while overseeing the cleanup efforts of the contracted Oil Spill Response Organization. Due to weather, including the recent steady rainfall, the spilled diesel fuel has largely dissipated and poses minimal threat to the environment or public.

The vessel owners and OSRO prevented the spill of an additional estimated 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel in the damaged tank by transferring the fuel to undamaged vessel tanks and containers.

The cause of the incident remained under investigation.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles personnel were working with the company’s salvage representatives and divers to develop a plan to affect temporary repairs to the vessel so it can be safely moved to a shipyard for permanent repairs.

The vessel poses no threat to navigation at this time, the Coast Guard said.