Houston Shipping Channel closed after barge collides with ship
A barge loaded with marine fuel oil sits partially submerged in the Houston Ship Channel. The bulk carrier Summer Wind, reported a collision between the Summer Wind and a barge, containing 924,000 gallons of fuel oil, towed by the motor vessel Miss Susan.
The accident forced authorities to evacuate the dike and surrounding areas and to close the Houston Ship Channel.
Authorities also suspended operations of the ferry between Galveston and Port Bolivar. Traffic in and out of the ports of Texas City and Galveston was also suspended.
The barge was carrying about 924,000 gallons of bunker oil, according to a report from the U.S. Coast Guard.
Coast Guard Capt. Brian Penoyer said late Saturday that 160,000 gallons, or 3,800 barrels, of the oil leaked from the barge into the bay.
This is an extremely serious spill, he said. This is a persistent oil. Its a large quantity. It will spread. People should be aware of that.
Bunker oil or bunker fuel is a heavy crude and highly polluting oil that also is referred to as bottom of the barrel oil. Penoyer said the oil does not evaporate quickly and the cleanup would take several days.
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Bunker fuel, used on various types of ships is highly polluting. This is going to be a very serious spill.
Well it's Monday morning and the Houston Ship Channel remains closed. I heard on the news this morning that they were able to pump the oil off the barge, that will be a plus for sure. Now to see how much shoreline gets contaminated and how much the marine life are effected.
What a mess. The impact this is going to have on the environment to Galveston is going to be huge.