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Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit News

20 Jul 2023

LNG Barge Clean Canaveral Bunkers First Cargo Ship in Canaveral

LNG bunker barge transferring LNG to Damia Desgagnés at Port Canaveral (Photo: JAX LNG)

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker barge Clean Canaveral completed its first barge-to-ship bunkering of a cargo vessel at Port Canaveral’s South Cargo Berth 4. JAX LNG, along with Polaris New Energy, handled the LNG refueling of the Damia Desgagnés on the ship’s inaugural call to Port Canaveral. The asphalt/bitumen tanker Damia Desgagnés completed her discharge of cargo and then JAX LNG proceeded with Desgagnés’s first barge-to-ship bunkering of LNG. The seafarers safely transferred approximately 400 cubic meters of LNG from North America’s largest LNG bunker barge…

05 Jul 2023

Five Rescued After Boat Strikes a Barge Near Galveston

(Screenshot from U.S. Coast Guard video, courtesy Air Station Houston)

Five people were rescued from the water Tuesday after their boat struck a barge near Galveston, Texas, the U.S. Coast Guard said.The Coast Guard said its watchstanders at Sector Houston-Galveston received a call at 9:41 p.m. on VHF-FM channel 16 from the captain of the Blessey Marine Services towboat Richard Tolar that an 18-foot pleasure craft had collided with a barge and capsized east of the Galveston Causeway. All five boaters were in the water, had sustained injuries and…

09 Feb 2023

US Coast Guard Enforces Safety Zone for Historic Crane Import

The U.S. Coast Guard will enforce a temporary safety zone in the Savannah River on Thursday for the import of the largest gauge ship-to-shore cranes in U.S. history.The Coast Guard said its captain of the Port Savannah would establish a safety zone during the import of the cranes to ensure the safety and security of the public and all vessels in the channel. The safety zone is expected to take place from 12:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., Feb. 9.No Vessel Permitted in Safety Zone"Vessels are not permitted to enter into, transit through, moor, or anchor within 1,500 feet of the motor vessel Biglift Baffin. No vessels will be permitted in the safety zone 30 minutes prior to…

19 Sep 2022

Towboats Collide on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway

The U.S. Coast Guard said it is monitoring a barge with heavy fuel oil aground after a two towboats collided near Plaquemine, La., at mile marker 43.5 on the Port Allen route of the Gulf intracoastal waterway.Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge responded after watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans were notified that the vessels Creole Crusader and the Jack Odom collided at approximately 12:30 a.m. on SaturdayThe Creole Crusader was towing two barges containing heavy fuel oil, and the Jack Odom was towing two empty barges and three barges of steel bars. All seven barges remain on scene, two barges were intentionally grounded to prevent flooding or pollution.No injuries or pollution have been reported.The waterway was closed at mile marker 43.5 to all vessel traffic…

09 Aug 2022

Oil Tank Platform Collapses, Oil Spills in Terrebonne Bay, Louisiana

(U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo)

The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to an oil spill after an oil tank platform collapsed at the Hilcorp Caillou Island facility in Terrebonne Bay, Louisiana, on Monday.Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Houma personnel initially received a notification from the National Response Center stating the platform experienced a structural failure causing a tank to fall into the water and spill the oil. Environmental Safety & Health Consulting Services has been hired as the oil spill removal organization.

15 Jun 2022

Maersk Containership Grounds in the Savannah River

The 1,091-foot Maersk Surabaya ran aground in the Savannah River, June 14, 2022. The ship was refloated with no reported injuries or pollution. (Photo: David Micallef / U.S. Coast Guard)

A Maersk containership has been refloated after running aground in the Savannah River near Fort Jackson on Tuesday.The U.S. Coast Guard said it was notified at 6:09 p.m. via the vessel agent of Maersk Surabaya that the vessel had run aground.The 1,091-foot box ship was repositioned to the center of the shipping channel with the help of seven tugs. AIS ship tracking data shows the vessel was aground for about 2 hours. The Danish-flagged vessel is now safely moored, and no injuries…

05 Sep 2021

Divers to Try to Locate Oil Spill Source in U.S. Gulf of Mexico

Illustration only - Credit: vejaa/AdobeStock

A private dive team will try to locate the source of a suspected oil spill spotted in the Bay Marchand area of the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, after Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc in the region this week, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Saturday.U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite images, first reported by the Associated Press on Wednesday, showed a miles-long brownish-black slick spreading in coastal waters about two miles off Port Fourchon, Louisiana, an oil…

09 Jul 2021

Cruise Ship Runs Aground near Canton, Kentucky

The U.S. Coast Guard responded Thursday to the aground cruise vessel American Jazz near Canton, Kentucky."American Jazz is aground near mile marker 62 on the Cumberland River outside the ship channel and is carrying 120 passengers and 54 crew members," the U.S. Coast Guard said.Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley watchstanders received a call Thursday morning from American Cruise Lines stating their vessel American Jazz ran aground. A Coast Guard Station Paducah 29-foot Special Purpose Craft-Shallow Water boat crew along with a Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Paducah marine investigator were launched to the scene."No damage, pollution, or injuries were reported. The Coast Guard is coordinating with American Cruise Lines to establish a salvage plan to dislodge the cruise vessel.

07 Feb 2020

Vessels Queue Grows as Salvage Continues on the Intracoastal Waterway

Rock barge ACL 01700 split in half and sunk after grounding near Mile Marker 99 in Berwick, La. earlier this week. Salvage operations have continued day and night. (Photo Alexandria Preston / U.S. Coast Guard)

Nearly 200 towing vessels and 600 barges are queued on the Intracoastal Waterway while salvors work to clear a halved and partially sunken rock barge near Berwick, La., the U.S. Coast Guard said.A section of waterway has been closed since Sunday night, when a towing vessel pushing six rock-filled hopper barges ran aground at mile marker 99.The push boat Miss Odessa was reportedly transiting southbound on the Atchafalaya River when it turned west onto the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and hit bottom. One of the barges, ACL 01700, split in half and sunk when the vessel attempted to break free.

15 Nov 2019

OSV Collides With Tug Near Port Arthur

An estimate of 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel has been spilled as the result of a collision between an offshore supply vessel (OSV) and a tug near Port Arthur Texas, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Friday.The Coast Guard said it is responding to the incidenct after its watchstanders at Sector Houston-Galveston received a report of a collision involving the OSV Cheramie Botruc 22 and tug vessel Mariya Moran near the entrance to Sabine Pass, Texas, Thursday morning.Personnel from Coast Guard Station Sabine, Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur, Texas General Land Office, Oil Spill Removal Organization, OMI Environmental Solutions and…

14 Mar 2019

Towing Vessel Sinks Near Baton Rouge

A section of the the lower Mississippi River has been closed to vessel traffic after a towing vessel sank near Baton Rouge, La., Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard said.The Coast Guard said its watchstanders in New Orleans received a report at 11 a.m. that the towing vessel Michelle Anne sank at Baton Rouge General Anchorage near mile marker 226 on the Mississippi River.The four crewmembers aboard the Michelle Ann escaped and were rescued by a nearby tug. There were no reported injuries.The waterway is closed from mile marker 224.5 to mile marker 226.A Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge incident management team deployed to the scene to look for signs of pollution.

01 Mar 2019

USCG Slaps Illegal PV operator with Fine

Photo: U.S. Coast Guard

Representatives from Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Chicago announced that the owner of two recreational pleasure boats has been fined $80,000 for operating as an illegal passenger vessel business on Lake Michigan for at least the past two years.Robert Glick of Chicago, owner of the 35-foot boats Allora and Fun, was charged with violating three separate federal regulations for each boat while operating a business that involved transporting paying passengers.The fine represents…

15 Feb 2019

CG Assists Towing Vessel Taking on Water

A Coast Guard crew assisted a 72-foot towing vessel taking on water near Port Arthur, Texas, Thursday evening.Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received a report that the towing vessel, Antietam, was taking on water and in need of assistance. Antietam, who was pushing two barges, intentionally grounded near Taylor Bayou to avoid sinking.A Station Sabine Pass 29-foot Response Boat-Small boat crew was launched. Once on scene, the crew of the RB-S assisted in dewatering the vessel.There are no reports of pollution at this time.Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur personnel are scheduled to assess the vessel at first light, Friday.

08 Jan 2019

Towing Vessel Sinks on the Tennessee River

The U.S. Coast Guard said it is responding to a sunken towing vessel near mile marker 22 on the Tennessee River, Tuesday. The two crew members on board were able to evacuate safely.The nearby Kentucky Lock and Dam has ceased locking operations due to the incident.The Coast Guard said its watchstanders at Sector Ohio Valley received a report at approximately 10 p.m. Monday that the inspected towing vessel Tom Bussler capsized at mile marker 15 on the Tennessee River.Inspected towing vessel George Leavell was able to recover the two crewmembers who were on board and transferred them to Calvert City Landing where they were transported to Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Ky. in stable condition.The sunken vessel reportedly has approximately 4,100 gallons of diesel on board.

06 Nov 2018

SubM: The Coast Guard IS Still an Option

Credit: Ashton Marine

Not all towing vessel companies are choosing Third Party Organizations (TPOs) for their Subchapter M compliance option. One size does not fit all.Under Subchapter M, towing vessel companies may opt to use TPOs to conduct their audits and surveys instead of inspections by the Coast Guard. While many companies are going the TPO route, many are opting for traditional Coast Guard inspections.As a retired Coast Guard marine inspector, I have always advocated the Coast Guard option to our clients.

31 Aug 2018

Vessel Accident Causes Oil Spill near Port Arthur

Clean up efforts are underway after a vessel collision caused an oil spill near Port Arthur, Texas.The U.S. Coast Guard said an estimated 13,272 gallons of marine diesel fuel was discharged after an accident involving the towing vessel Savage Pathfinder and the motor vessel Endurance on Wednesday evening. No injuries were reported.Containment boom was placed around the vessel, and the source of the leak has been secured, the Coast Guard said.Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur and Texas General Land Office personnel are involved in the investigation and response efforts."We are working with TGLO, the responsible party and all maritime stakeholders to minimize impact as quickly as possible," said Capt.

26 Feb 2018

Disabled Bulker Towed to Seattle after Engine Room Blast

Main diesel engine components malfunctioned on board a 653-foot bulk carrier and caused a localized explosion, Thursday, about 120 miles west of the Columbia River entrance. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the Panamanian-flagged Federal Iris was en route from the Port of Changzhou, China, to pick up cargo in Longview, Wash., when the explosion occurred. There were no injuries to the 21 crew members aboard, but the damage rendered the main propulsion system inoperable. The Federal Iris crew enacted emergency salvage operations and contracted the crew of the emergency response towing vessel, the Denise Foss, which is permanently stationed at Neah Bay, Wash.

22 Jun 2017

Shipping Firms Pay $1.9 Mln for Pollution Cover-up

Two shipping companies based in Egypt and Singapore will pay $1.9 million in penalties after pleading guilty in federal court to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) and obstruction of justice for covering up the illegal dumping of oil-contaminated bilge water and garbage into the sea. Defendants Egyptian Tanker Company and Thome Ship Management are the owner and operator of the offending vessel, the 57,920 gross ton, 809-foot long, oceangoing, oil tank ship called the M/T ETC Mena. The plea agreement was announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood for the Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston for the Eastern District of Texas.

02 Mar 2017

Barge Breakaway on Ohio River

The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to a report of a barge breakaway at the Racine Lock and Dam on the Ohio River near Huntington, W.Va., Thursday. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley received a report that UTV Austin C. Settoon, pushing three barges loaded with approximately 3,780,000 gallons of natural gas condensate, allided with the lock wall at approximately 5:30 a.m. The barges subsequently broke away. One barge is contained in the lock while the remaining two barges are pinned against gates seven and eight of the dam, with the vessel pinned against gates six and seven. The Racine Lock and Dam is closed, creating a queue of 13 upbound vessels and 11 downbound vessels.

23 Dec 2016

Two Medevaced from Tanker off Sabine, Texas

Coast Guard crews medevaced two men after they were struck by a pressurized object and suffered injuries aboard a tank ship about 20 miles off the Texas Point Wildlife Refuge Wednesday afternoon. The crew of the tanker United Ambassador contacted Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur watchstanders, who alerted Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders at 2:35 p.m., reporting a 24-year-old man was struck in the head by a pressurized part causing bleeding and unconsciousness and a 42-year-old man's nose was broken. At approximately 2:45 p.m., watchstanders diverted an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Houston and launched a 45-foot response boat from Station Sabine.

24 May 2016

Grounded Bulker Repaired, Heads for Japan

Two tugs support Sparna past the Wauna Paper Mill while in transit along the Columbia River to their mooring destination in Kalama, Wash., March 23, 2016. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Levi Read)

The Captain of the Port for Oregon and southern Washington canceled the captain of the port order on the motor vessel Sparna allowing the vessel to leave its mooring at Kalama, Wash., Monday. The Sparna, a 623-foot bulk grain carrier, briefly ran aground near Cathlamet on the Columbia River, March 21, resulting in the ship needing to undergo temporary repairs. “We have inspected the Sparna and have approved the temporary repairs to make the vessel seaworthy,” said Lt. Cmdr. Ben Russell, chief inspections department, Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland.

08 Mar 2016

Fishermen Rescued from Sinking Boat off Galveston

A shrimp boat is grounded on South Galveston Jetty after three fisherman aboard were rescued by the Coast Guard. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Houston)

A U.S. Coast Guard boat crew rescued three fisherman after their boat began sinking early Sunday morning near the jetty off Galveston. Crewmembers of the shrimp boat Jana Lynn called Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders via VHF-FM channel 16 at around 3 a.m., reporting their boat was taking on water. Watchstanders launched a Station Galveston 45-foot response boat crew, who quickly retrieved the men before the situation got worse. They reported that their dewatering pumps lost power and they maneuvered the boat on the jetty to keep it from sinking.

01 Sep 2015

3 Resuced from Sunken Fishing Vessel

The Coast Guard rescued three individuals from a 75-foot fishing vessel that sank approximately 12 miles southwest of Point Au Fer in the Gulf of Mexico, Monday. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders were notified by a passing helicopter of a fishing vessel sinking with two life-rafts in the water. Watchstanders launched a Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Morgan City 29-foot response boat crew and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans. The survivors were located in a life raft after they fired off a flare. The MSU Morgan City boat crew safely transferred all three people aboard the life-raft to their small boat and brought them back to Morgan City. The cause of the incident is being investigated.