FV Gulf Dipper; Bolivar Peninsula, TX

Bolivar Peninsula, TX | 2000-Sep-06

Initial Notification: At 1300 hrs CDT, MSU Galveston contacted the NOAA SSC and requested trajectory support for a fishing vessel which sank off the Texas coast. The Fishing Vessel Gulf Dipper caught fire, burned and sank at approximately noon today, Wednesday, Sept 6. The location was reported 5 - 6 miles off Bolivar Peninsula, east of Galveston Texas, at 29? 26.25' N by 94? 25.33' W. The maximum fuel capacity of the vessel is 3,000 gallons of diesel. The vessel wasn't at max. fuel capacity and some of the diesel burned prior to sinking; 3000 gallons is being used as a worst case discharge volume. The shallow shelf off Texas is an active fish habitat for white shrimp and a various finfish. Sea turtles are also known to visit the area. USCG district 8.