The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(LA PORTE, Texas) — Responders began to execute salvage plans for the damaged tanker Carla Maersk on Wednesday after a collision that occurred Monday.
The plans include utilizing high-density foam to suppress any flammable vapor seeping from the punctured tanks. Once the foam is in place, responders will monitor the air for any flammable vapors. If deemed safe, responders will commence the removal of liquid cargo. Once the liquid cargo has been removed and the structural integrity of the vessel has been deemed safe for movement, the Carla Maersk will be moved from the Houston Ship Channel to a safe berthing area.
Responders continue to conduct air and water tests, which show no public health or environmental concerns at this time. To date, more than 500 air and water tests have been conducted, equaling approximately 50 to 70 tests per hour.
The Conti Peridot was safely moved with the assistance of two tugboats, to City Dock 21, Tuesday afternoon.
The unified command overseeing the incident is committed to ensuring the safety of the public and protection of the environment remains their top priorities.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
PREVIOUS REPORT
(HOUSTON) — One of two vessels that collided on the Houston Ship Channel was safely moved today, as responders continued air and water monitoring and a helicopter flyover pinpointed a narrow sheen in the water as a result of the incident.
The sheen, about two miles long, developed after the collision between the Carla Maersk, a 600-foot chemical tanker carrying methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and the Conti Peridot, a 623-foot bulk carrier.
The collision punctured two of the Carla Maersk’s port cargo tanks.
The Conti Peridot is being moved to the Port of Houston Authority’s Turning Basin terminal.
The air and water monitoring showed no public health concern at this time and work is continuing throughout the evening to ensure the puncture on the tanker is secured.
The unified command overseeing the incident is committed to ensuring the safety of the public and protection of the environment remains their top priorities.
A claims number has been established in connection with the incident. That number is (888) 334-6446.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
PREVIOUS REPORT
(HOUSTON) (March 9) — Federal, state and local agencies and responders are working to ensure public safety as they respond to a spill at Morgan's Point on the Houston Ship Channel, after a collision between two ships at about 12:40 p.m. Monday.
The unified command has determined that the Barbours Cut Terminal will not open as normally scheduled at 7 a.m. Tuesday, as a precautionary measure. Air quality monitoring has determined that fumes are present, but they are below toxic levels. Residents in the affected areas are urged to monitor local emergency notification systems (Cities of Baytown, La Porte, Morgan's Point), for information on local impacts and instruction. Air monitoring is currently taking place throughout the area and is being facilitated by local jurisdictions.
Residents and other individuals in the impacted areas may also call the public information hotline for the latest information on the spill. The hotline is (281) 470-0000.
The Houston Ship Channel remains closed to all traffic from light 86 to the Fred Hartman Bridge. There are 26 ships waiting to come inbound to Houston and 14 waiting to leave. The Coast Guard is working to help ensure that the remaining product in the ship is safely secured in order to begin reopening the ship channel.
A safety zone has been established from the Fred Hartman Bridge to light 86 on the Houston Ship Channel and includes Goose Creek, Tabbs Bay, Cedar Bayou Channel and Barbours Cut.
At 12:41 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston received a report of the collision between the Carla Maersk, a 600-foot chemical tanker, and the Conti Peridot, a 623-foot bulk carrier, which resulted in a puncture to three of the Carla Maersk’s port tanks. The chemical tanker was carrying approximately 216,000 barrels of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) prior to the collision.
A collision between a chemical tanker and bulk carrier resulted in a spill of an unknown quantity of MTBE and prompted the Coast Guard Captain of the Port to close the Houston Ship Channel between light 86 and Morgan’s Point and initiate a shelter and place of the area surrounding Morgan’s Point and the Barbour’s Cut terminal.
An incident command post has been established at the City of La Porte Emergency Operations Center to further response efforts. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
The cause of the collision is under investigation.
PREVIOUS REPORT
(HOUSTON) (March 9) — Part of the Houston Ship Channel was closed Monday after a collision between a bulk carrier and chemical tanker, KTRK reported. The U.S. Coast Guard said the tanker, Carla Maersk, spilled some of its cargo of MTBE, resulting in a shelter-in-place order for local residents. The ship collided with the bulker Conti Peridot at about 1230 hours near Morgan's Point.
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