Barge & ship collide spilling more than 13,000 gallons of diesel fuel
The Coast Guard and Texas General Land Office are investigating an oil spill after an accident involving a barge and a ship near Port Arthur, Texas, Wednesday evening.
Author: Makensie Hinkle
Published: 4:39 PM CDT August 30, 2018
Updated: 10:37 PM CDT August 30, 2018
A major clean up on the way at the Intracoastal Waterway, near Port Arthur, after a collision led to an oil spill on Wednesday.
The collision involved a towing vessel Savage Pathfinder and the motor vessel Endurance.
Over 13,000 gallons of diesel fueled was spilled but a representative from the Coast Guard says leak is now under control.
At this time there is no cause for the collision but it's still under investigation.
From a U.S. Coast Guard news release...
The Coast Guard and Texas General Land Office are responding to an oil spill after an accident involving the towing vessel Savage Pathfinder and the motor vessel Endurance at Dock 4 near Port Arthur, Texas, Wednesday evening.
An estimated 13,272 gallons of marine diesel fuel was discharged. The source of the leak has been secured.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur and TGLO personnel were dispatched to the scene to investigate and respond to the spill. Containment boom was placed around the vessel. Crews continue recovery efforts Thursday.
An urgent marine information broadcast has been sent cautioning mariners transiting around Texaco Point and Port Arthur.
"We are working with TGLO, the responsible party and all maritime stakeholders to minimize impact as quickly as possible," said Capt. Jackie Twomey, federal on scene coordinator and commanding officer of MSU Port Arthur.
The cause of the incident is under investigation. There were no reported injuries.
SAVAGE PATHFINDER
Pictured as: the Miss Polly (Settoon Towing) Photo by: Sam Draye
Built in 1976, by Verret Shipyard Incorporated of Plaquemine, Louisiana (hull #27) as the Miss Polly for Boaz Towing Incorporated of Plaquemine, Louisiana.
In 2014, the tug was acquired by the Kirby Corporation of Channelview, Texas. Where she retained her name.
In 2016, she was acquired by Settoon Towing Incorporated of Pierre Part, Louisiana. Where the tug retained her name.
In 2017, the tug was acquired by Savage Marine Services Incorporated of Salt Lake City, Utah. Where she was renamed as the Savage Pathfinder.
Re powered in 1987, she is driven by two, GM 12V-92 diesel engines. With Twin Disc reduction gears, at a ratio of 6:1. Turning two, stainless steel, fixed pitch propellers. She is a twin screw towboat, rated at 1,000 horsepower.
In 2014, the tug was acquired by the Kirby Corporation of Channelview, Texas. Where she retained her name.
In 2016, she was acquired by Settoon Towing Incorporated of Pierre Part, Louisiana. Where the tug retained her name.
In 2017, the tug was acquired by Savage Marine Services Incorporated of Salt Lake City, Utah. Where she was renamed as the Savage Pathfinder.
Re powered in 1987, she is driven by two, GM 12V-92 diesel engines. With Twin Disc reduction gears, at a ratio of 6:1. Turning two, stainless steel, fixed pitch propellers. She is a twin screw towboat, rated at 1,000 horsepower.