MV FLOREANA; Houston Ship Channel, TX

Houston Ship Channel, TX | 1998-Aug-01

Initial Notification: At 01AUG98, 2050 CDT MSO Houston-Galveston was notified of the M/V FLOREANA taking on water while moored to the Care dock on the Houston Ship Channel. The 209 foot long Bahamian freighter sank at 2200 CDT. An Incident Command Post was established and environmental risk assessment began. Cargo on board the vessel included drums of Sodium Hydroxide (8229 pounds), methanol (20/55 gal drums = 9780 pounds), and Sulfuric Acid (300 pounds). There was also 18,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board the ship. USEPA, TNRCC and TGLO have been on scene and monitoring has been conducted. None of the hazardous materials were detected in the water throughout the day. Containment boom has been put around the vessel. Side scan sonar views of the vessel under water revealed that the vessel and its containers remain up against the dock. After safety issues have been addressed, a crane will start removing the containers. After the cargo has been removed, the ship will be salvaged. Today (03AUG98) safety and salvage plans will continue to be developed. USCG district 8.