US: Barge crashes into Pelican Island Causeway in Texas
- Published
by Admin
The US Coast Guard on Wednesday (15 May) said it was coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies in response to the Pelican Island Causeway allision in Galveston, Texas.
Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received a report at 9.48 am reporting a 321-foot barge, MMLP 321, allided with the Pelican Island Causeway.
The MMLP 321 was reported to be carrying 30,000 barrels of vacuum gas oil. A photo from the US Coast Guard showed splotches of oil spilled from the barge into the waters in the vicinity of the incident.
Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard Station Galveston boat crew to respond.
The Coast Guard said a 3,000 feet of containment boom has been deployed in the vicinity of the allision.
The intercoastal waterway has been closed from Pelican Cut (mile marker 351.5) to the Galveston Causeway (mile marker 357.3) and a 5.8-mile safety zone has been issued for the surrounding waters. Mariners are urged to avoid the area.
No injuries have been reported.
On 16 May, AP reported that the Coast Guard said it was estimated that up to 2,000 gallons of oil may have spilled into surrounding waters when the barge struck the bridge.
Photo credit: US Coast Guard
Published: 17 May 2024
Related Topics:
