USCG Investigates ITB Grounding

PORT ARTHUR, Texas – Investigators from Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Port Arthur are monitoring the grounding of the Integrated Tug and Barge (ITB) Mobile approximately 1.5 miles south of the Sabine Jetties here. No injuries were reported, and initial inspections of the 691-foot U.S.-flagged ITB have found no flooding, loss of cargo or fuel. Mobile’s owner, ITB Mobile LLC, has made an attempt to remove the ship from its hard-aground position without success. Additional tug boats are being called to the scene to assist with the removal operation and are expected to be on scene. The vessel is not obstructing navigation, and the port remains open to traffic. Mobile was en route to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., with approximately 330,000 barrels of gasoline and diesel fuel at the time of the grounding. An ITB is a barge that is pushed by a tug boat that has been specifically designed for that barge.