Updated: Fishing Boat Capsizes in Collision With Tanker, Two Missing
On Tuesday, the chemical tanker Bow Fortune collided with the 80-foot fishing vessel Pappy's Pride near the Galveston jetties on the outskirts of Galveston, Texas. The collision caused the fishing vessel to capsize, leaving two fishermen missing, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
At 1535 hours Tuesday, Vessel Traffic Service Houston-Galveston was notified of four people in the water after a collision between the Pappy's Pride and the 600-foot chemical tanker Bow Fortune near the Galveston jetties, two long granite jetties at the entrance to the Houston-Galveston Ship Channel.
Sector Houston-Galveston issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched two Station Galveston response boat crews to the scene. Two of the fishing vessel's crewmembers were pulled from the water by the crew of a good Samaritan vessel and a response boat crew. One of the two rescuees died at the hospital and one survived, according to the Galveston Beach Patrol.
The search for the remaining two fishermen is ongoing, and the cause of the collision is under investigation.
The Bow Fortune is a Norwegian-flagged chemical tanker built in 1999. In a statement, operator Odfjell extended its condolences to the family of the victim.
"At the time of the incident, Bow Fortune was inbound and under pilotage as first vessel in a convoy. At the time of the incident, there was heavy fog in the area," Odfjell said. "Tragically, we have received reports that one of the four crew members onboard the fishing boat has lost his life. We are saddened by this information, and wish to express our heartfelt condolences to his family. We are also deeply concerned about the reports that two of the crew members on the fishing boat are still missing . . . Odfjell takes this matter very seriously. Together with the P&I club Gard, we cooperate fully with US authorities to ensure that we initiate all necessary actions."
The Bow Fortune is currently moored in Galveston, and her crew is safe and accounted for. Her hull integrity is intact and there is no pollution stemming from the ship, Odfjell said.