CG Reopens Intracoastal Waterway

The Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur reopened the Intracoastal Waterway after the towing vessel Caroline was refloated Monday.

The waterway was closed following a collision between the towing vessel Caroline and the towing vessel Miss Stacie at mile marker 312 on the Intracoastal Waterway early this morning.  No injuries were sustained during the collision.

A Unified Command comprised of Canal Barge Company, Texas General Land Office, Oil Mop and the Coast Guard was established to respond to the incident.  A minimal amount of oil was released from the Caroline and was cleaned up by Oil Mop.

The Caroline was re-floated at 11:10 and was then towed to Bollinger Shipyard in Lake Charles, La., for repairs. The Caroline’s barges were transported to Houston by the towing vessel Coushatta.

The Intracoastal Waterway was re-opened at 3 p.m. to eastbound and westbound traffic.