Clam boat that pulled up old munitions off LI decontaminated

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - A clam boat that was isolated off Massachusetts after pulling up mustard gas-tainted munitions shells south of Long Island has steamed to shore after preliminary tests showed it was decontaminated.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Lauren Jorgensen said the vessel ESS Pursuit was docking in New Bedford on Saturday.

Jorgensen says additional samples from the Atlantic City, N.J.-based vessel must be cleared by Environmental Protection Agency labs before the boat can head home. Jorgensen says that's likely to take a few days.

The boat had been isolated off New Bedford since Monday, a day after it pulled up eight shells about 45 miles south of Long Island, including one that leaked mustard gas.

One crewman was hospitalized with severe blisters from the chemical. He was released Friday.