Fuel Oil Spill: M/V MSC VANCOUVER and Fuel Barge; Morgan's Point, Texas

M2J2+QX Morgan's Point, TX, USA | 2025-Sep-05

Initial Notification: Incident details: On Sept. 5, 2025, the M/V MSC VANCOUVER was moored at the Port of Houston Barbours Cut Terminal while taking on bunkers of RMG 380/No. 6 fuel oil (heavy fuel oil) when a valve was accidentally opened prior to connecting the transfer hose, discharging approximately 3 barrels onto the deck of the fuel barge (Buffalo 403) and approximately 1 barrel into Barbours Cut Channel. The incident location (Barbours Cut Terminal, Morgan's Point, TX) is within the Coastal Zone and the Surface Washing Agents (SWA) Pre-authorized Area. The U.S. Coast Guard Federal On-Scene Coordinator authorized use of SWA (PES-51) in accordance with RRT-6 SWA Policy and will have responders on scene to provide visual monitoring and data collection. A post-use report form will be submitted upon completion. The NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator and Regional Response Team 6 were notified and continue to support, as needed.