Barge Collision Causes Oil Spill in Galveston

May 16, 2024

in News, World

Reading Time: 3 mins read

A barge struck the Pelican Island bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, leading to an oil spill in the surrounding waters and disrupting road access to the island.

The incident occurred around 10 a.m. local time when the barge, which had broken free from a tugboat, collided with the bridge pilings.

Immediate Impact

Power Disruption and Crew Safety

Galveston County Emergency Management Director Judge Mark Henry reported that power on Pelican Island was temporarily disrupted but was restored by 1 p.m. Fortunately, there were no injuries, although two crew members went off the barge, either due to impact or jumping to avoid being crushed by falling debris. TV footage showed a section of railway along the bridge collapsing onto the barge.

Traffic Restrictions

Authorities allowed traffic to exit the island, but the bridge remained closed to all other vehicular traffic. Texas A&M University at Galveston confirmed this update, stating that a final bridge assessment could not be performed until the oil leak was contained and the barge removed.

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Response and Assessment

Emergency and Engineering Response

Galveston officials stated that emergency management teams from the city, Texas A&M University at Galveston, and the state, alongside the Galveston fire and police departments, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Texas Department of Transportation, were responding to the incident. Engineers from the Texas Department of Transportation inspected the roadway for damages and declared the bridge closed until deemed safe.

Environmental Impact

Oil Spill Details

The collision resulted in an oil spill in the bay. The barge, owned by Martin Petroleum, has a 30,000-gallon capacity, though the exact amount of leaked oil is unknown. Vacuum gas oil, a mixture of hydrocarbons and fuel additives, was confirmed to have leaked into the water. The spill led to the closure of approximately 6.5 miles of the Intracoastal Waterway.

U.S. Coast Guard Actions

The U.S. Coast Guard is assessing the extent of the oil spill and initiating containment and cleanup efforts. The city confirmed that the Coast Guard is leading the response to mitigate the environmental impact.

Community Impact

Resident Evacuation

The collision significantly affected residents on Pelican Island, as the bridge is the only access route. Judge Henry estimated about 200 residents live on the island, including those in Texas A&M University at Galveston dorms. Authorities allowed residents to leave but restricted re-entry until further notice.

Conclusion

The barge collision with the Pelican Island bridge has caused significant disruption, including an oil spill and restricted access for residents. Emergency response teams and the U.S. Coast Guard are actively addressing the situation, with ongoing assessments and cleanup efforts underway.