Tug & Barge Collide with Tanker in Houston Ship Channel

The five crew members of the tug, "David and Colleen," were accounted for, and there were no injuries. The leak in the barge was plugged, and the spilled petroleum evaporated. The USCG stated that the spill would not create an environmental hazard due to the product?s high evaporation point.

The collision occurred in the area where the channel meets the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The junction is one of the world?s busiest ship and barge intersections.

Hazardous material teams worked quickly to contain the raffinate, which is blended with gasoline and used as a chemical feedstock. However, the spilled raffinate is a flammable, colorless liquid that is highly volatile.

The "St. Helen," a Maltese-flagged tanker, proceeded to the Bolivar Roads anchorage under its own power.