BARGE 2514; HOUSTON, TX

HOUSTON, TX | 1989-Jun-25

Initial Notification: At approximately 1820 CDST the US Coast Guard received a report of a collision between the T/S Rachel B and Coastal Towing T/B 2514 at or near the junction of the Houston Ship Channel and the BayPort Ship Channel in the North West part of Galveston Bay. Both vessels were reported to have been damaged. T/B 2514 was also reported to be leaking oil. T/B 2514 was reported to be carrying approximately 6,000 BBLS of "slurry oil" in 3 tanks (tank no. 4p,5p and 6p). All three tanks were reported damaged and all but an estimated 2-300 BBLS remaining in tank no. 4p was spilled. The T/S Rachel B was reported as having sustained damage to her forepeak but was able to move to Barbours Cut. T/S Rachel B was reported as empty at the time of the collision and appeared not to be leaking any oil. T/B Coastal 2514 in tow of Towboat Gayolyn Ann Griffin pushed aground east of the Houston Ship Channel on a spoil area south of Atkinson Island. Coastal Towing has contracted Garner Environ- mental for cleanup operations. Weather for the approximate time of the incident was overcast with rain, temp. 80 deg.F winds SE at 10-15 kts, waves 2-4 ft. and widely scattered thunder showers. USCG district 8.