Freighter Collides with Offshore Platform

Crewmembers from Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Galveston are investigating the early morning collision of an outbound freighter and an offshore platform located approximately 17 miles off the coast of Galveston.

At 3:15 a.m., Coast Guard watchstanders at Group Galveston received reports of a platform fire in the Gulf of Mexico. At 3:30 a.m., the freighter SCM Athina notified the Coast Guard that it had struck the platform High Island 207. Substantial damage was sustained by the platform, resulting in a fire that could be seen from shore. Two offshore supply boats were in the area and immediately responded, fighting the fire and extinguishing the flames on the lower decks. The upper decks are still smoldering.

High Island 207 is an unmanned natural gas transfer platform located at 29 07.0N 094 28.0W. It is owned by EOG Resources. The Coast Guard is working closely with EOG emergency response team members to assess the situation. As of mid-morning, all gas lines to and from the platform have been secured.

The SCM Athina received damage to its superstructure and scrapes along its hull. There are no reports of injury or pollution. The SCM Athina is a 355-foot freighter registered to the Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. The freighter is owned by Sudkap Shipping Co, Ltd and has a crew of 16 from Russia.

The Coast Guard investigators directed the SCM Athina to the Galveston Fairway Anchorage. The investigators then boarded the freighter to interview the crew and assess the damage. The cause of the collision is under investigation.