Cleanup Efforts Ramp up in Texas City
The U.S. Coast Guard is ramping up efforts to clean oil in the Ports of Texas City and Galveston Wednesday, as expected afternoon weather will likely hinder or cease operations due to safety concerns for responders. Storms may keep responders from being able to safely collect oil on the water and along the shoreline. Response efforts will focus heavily on cleaning Pelican Island and north to the Texas City Dike until weather makes operations too hazardous for responders. The weather is also expected to flush out pockets of oil that were unreachable to responders over the past few days. Once weather abates, responders will be re-assessing the area to update cleanup plans for immediate action.
Collision, Spill Forces Houston Channel Closure
Cleanup continues in response to an oil spill in the Houston Ship Channel that resulted in the release of approximately 168,000 gallons of bunker fuel oil. On March 22, 2014, the M/V Summer Wind and Kirby Barge 27706 collided in the Houston Ship Channel in the vicinity LT 26 near the "Texas City Y", the Houston-Galveston Port Community said in an announcement. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announced that Unified Command is working closely with the Vessel Traffic Service, paired with assessments of the Houston Ship Channel, to determine when partial vessel traffic can resume.
Specialist Maritime Engineer Joins Arup’s Houston Office
Arup, the multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm, has been joined by Larry Wise as an associate and maritime engineer in the firm’s Houston office. In this role, explains Arup, he will be responsible for leading and executing energy and maritime assignments, supporting and servicing regional energy, oil and gas terminals, ports and marine terminals, urban waterfront restorations, and environmental restoration projects. A seasoned coastal and marine engineer with more than 18 years of experience in the marine and environmental industries, Larry has worked on several notable projects recently including the Mozambique LNG Export Facility project, the Texas City Channel Deepening project, and the Alaska LNG Export Terminal.
Hurricane Rita Waterways Update
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Press Release updating the status of waterways affected by Hurricane Rita. The port of Freeport is open for all vessel traffic. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is open to tug and barge traffic between the Colorado Locks and the Calcasieu Locks. The port of Galveston and the Galveston Channel are restricted to vessels with drafts of 35 feet or less and daylight transits only. The port of Texas City and the Texas City Channel are restricted to vessels with drafts of 35 feet or less and daylight transits only. Barbours Cut is restricted to vessels with drafts of 35 feet or less and daylight transits only. Bayport and the Bayport Channel are restricted to vessels with drafts of 35 feet or less and daylight transits only.
