T/V Florida Express; Galveston Lightering Area, Gulf of Mexico

Galveston Lightering Area, Gulf of Mexico | 1995-Feb-27

Initial Notification: On February 27, 1995, a fire and a series of explosions in the #2 and #3 cargo tanks destroyed the integrity of six forward cargo tanks on the T/V Florida Express's port side. The explosion created several large cracks in the vessel's side shell. Resulting damages severely threatened the vessel's structural integrity and overall stability and released approximately 200 barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, with the potential to release over 8,000 barrels of oil. USCG district 8. Keyword: satellite-transmitting buoys.