Watchstanders at Sector Houston-Galveston received a call at 9:37 p.m. Monday night from the tugboat Columbia reporting to have seen a man jump from a 20-foot line-handling boat prior to its colliding with a 530-foot cargo ship. The line-handling boat, owned by Texas Mooring, was reported to have collided with the UBC Singapore, which was carrying non-spillable copper cathodes.
The Coast Guard launched a 25-foot boat from Station Galveston to search for the man. An Air Station Houston MH-65C rescue helicopter crew was dispatched and the Coast Guard Cutter Manta is currently on-scene to assist with the search.
No damage has been reported by either vessel.
“We have a defined search area and with the help of Texas Parks and Wildlife and the local mariners we have searched through the night and at first light. We will continue to diligently work with our partners to search the shoreline while allowing ships to safely transit the Houston Ship Channel,” said Capt. William Diehl, commanding officer of Sector Houston-Galveston.
