A barge carrying fuel broke free from a tugboat and crashed into a bridge near Galveston, Texas, causing an estimated spill of up to 2,000 gallons of oil into surrounding waters. The impact caused the bridge to partially collapse, cutting off the only road connecting Galveston to Pelican Island. Video footage showed oil splotches in Galveston Bay, but early cleanup efforts did not identify any impacted wildlife. The barge was holding approximately 966,000 gallons of oil at the time of the crash, with only one tank compromised.
Coast Guard Captain Keith Donohue expressed confidence that the actual amount of oil introduced to the water was significantly less than the initial estimate. Over 600 gallons of oily water mixture have been recovered from the environment, along with an additional 5,640 gallons of oil product from the barge itself. A boom was deployed to contain the spill, leading to the closure of a 6.5-mile stretch of the waterway. The cause of the tugboat losing control of the barge was attributed to a break in the coupling connecting the two vessels.
Despite the environmental impact, the region is not expected to experience major economic disruption as a result of the accident, according to maritime transportation expert Maria Burns from the University of Houston. The affected area is located far from major shipping channels, minimizing the impact on maritime traffic in the region. The incident occurred weeks after a cargo ship collided with a bridge in Baltimore, resulting in fatalities. The barge remained lodged beside the bridge, with the structure’s closure affecting traffic between Galveston and Pelican Island.
Texas A&M University at Galveston announced the closure of its campus on Pelican Island, urging staff and faculty to leave due to the uncertainty surrounding the outage of the bridge. Less than 200 individuals associated with the university were present on the island at the time of the barge collision. Transportation and housing assistance will be provided for those choosing to leave, although there is no mandatory evacuation in place. An investigation into the cause of the vessel coupling issue is ongoing, with details being withheld until the completion of the inquiry.
The cleanup efforts continue as the Coast Guard works to mitigate the impact of the oil spill on the surrounding environment. With the closure of the bridge impacting transportation between Galveston and Pelican Island, authorities are focused on ensuring the safety of residents and minimizing disruption to the region’s activities. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with maritime transportation and the importance of effective safety measures to prevent accidents and environmental damage.
