Sunken Boat Closes Channel at Port Arthur

The US Coast Guard closed the channel at Port Arthur, Texas, after a shrimp boat sank in the area on Monday morning, GAC cited the Sabine Rover Pilot Office.

At approximately 3 a.m., the Captain Kevin sank in the Neches River, causing oil sheen and one minor injury.

The vessel is currently located some 1500 feet from the end of the channel and 100 feet from the west side of the jetty.

USCG has established a safety zone one-quarter mile north and one-quarter mile south of the sunken boat, spanning from jetty to jetty.

Some deep draft vessels have been authorized to transit the area to determine what, if any, impacts vessel movement may have on the sunken boat.

Relevant authorities and vessel owners are working on recovering the vessel and fuel.

At the time of the sinking, the shrimp boat was carrying some 5000 gallons of diesel fuel.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

GAC added that the pilots could not specify when the channel may reopen.