Disabled Tug and Barge Off Galveston
A disabled tug and barge are in danger of running aground on Galveston Island in the U.S.
At 2:19 p.m. on Saturday, an agent for the integrated tug, OSG Independence, and its barge, OSG 243, contacted the U.S. Coast Guard to report that the tug separated from the barge in heavy seas off the Galveston Island Pleasure Pier, while dragging both anchors. They worked to connect an emergency tow line, which went under the tug and fouled their starboard propeller.
The tug Thor arrived on scene at around 4 p.m. to assist. The Thor’s crew gained control of the adrift barge at 8:45 p.m. and began towing them away from shore.
The U.S. Coast Guard, G & H Towing and T & T Marine Salvage continue to work at the scene with the assistance of the tugs Deacon, Captain and the Holt T.
There are no injuries to the six people on board the tug or the two people on board the barge. No pollution has been reported.
The barge was empty of any cargo. It was previously carrying gasoline and the cargo tanks were filled with inert gas to neutralize danger from residual fumes.
The seas were reported to be six to eight feet at the time of the incident and are expected to reach up to 12 feet with 40 knot winds.