The U.S. Coast Guard marine inspectors and investigators from the Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Texas City are investigating the cause of a collision between the cargo ship Genius Star VII and a barge loaded with 840,000 gallons of #6 fuel oil in the Houston Ship Channel, Friday.
Marine inspectors and marine casualty investigators from Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston were dispatched to the barge to conduct a preliminary investigation and mitigate any risk to the environment.
Also, a response boat from Station Galveston was launched with a team of marine inspectors to meet the Genius Star VII offshore and conduct a preliminary investigation, assess damage, and mitigate any risk to the environment or the mariners aboard the vessel.
“ Due to the quick response of our marine safety professionals here at Texas City, a major environmental incident was avoided ,” said Lt. Cmdr. Zeita Merchant, executive officer of Marine Safety Unit Texas City . “ We were able to direct the vessels to safe locations to assess the overall damage and ensure the safety of the maritime community .”
Both vessels reported damage, but are in stable condition.
[mappress] uscg, March 18, 2014