From the U.S. Coast Guard:
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) — Coast Guard and salvage crews recovered the bodies of the two remaining crewmembers Monday after recovering a portion of the dredging vessel Waymon L Boyd from the Corpus Christi Ship Channel in Corpus Christi, Texas.
All missing crewmembers are now accounted for and the families have been notified.
“We can confirm that all four missing crewmen have been recovered,” said Mark Stauffer, CEO, Orion Marine Group. “We are grateful to the U.S. Coast Guard, the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, and the rest of the associated agencies for their tireless efforts in assisting in the search and recovery efforts. We are devastated by the loss of four of our colleagues, each of whom has been a valuable part of the Orion team for many years. Our heartfelt prayers and sympathy are extended to their families and friends, and we ask that everyone please respect their privacy as we all work to recover from this terrible incident.”
The portion of the dredging vessel was located in the middle of the channel during diving operations Sunday.
Pollution response and salvage operations of the dredging vessel are ongoing.
The Captain of the Port has modified the safety zone in the Corpus Christi Ship Channel to allow vessel traffic throughout the Inner Harbor with restrictions. For the most recent Marine Safety Information Bulletins regarding the safety zone restrictions visit the Coast Guard’s Homeport site.
Approximately 1,600 gallons of diesel fuel has been removed from the water.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
Previous report
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) — The Coast Guard suspended its search Saturday for two missing crewmembers from the dredging vessel Waymon L. Boyd.
The bodies of two of the missing crewmembers were recovered at approximately 2 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Saturday. Two crewmembers remain missing.
“Our Coast Guard crews worked intently alongside state and local partners to locate the two crew members who remained missing, but unfortunately, we were unable to locate them,” said Capt. Edward Gaynor, commander, Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi. “The decision to suspend a search is never easy and a lot of factors are considered before suspending a search. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of the missing crew members during this difficult time.”
Involved in the search were:
Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi
Coast Guard Station Port Aransas
Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team Corpus Christi
Coast Guard cutter Chinook
Coast Guard cutter Manta
Coast Guard cutter Sturgeon
Port Police Department Marine Units
Harbormaster's Office
Security Command Center
At 8:12 a.m. Friday, Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi watch standers received reports from witnesses describing a fire in the Port of Corpus Christi. A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued two injured crewmembers and four remained missing. The fire on the dredging vessel was extinguished at approximately 10 p.m. Friday after the vessel broke apart and sank.
Previous report
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) — The Coast Guard is continuing to search Saturday for the missing crewmembers from the dredging vessel Waymon L. Boyd.
The bodies of two of the missing crewmembers were recovered at approximately 2 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., Saturday. Two crewmembers remain missing.
A Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a Station Port Aransas 45-foot response boat-medium crew are currently on scene searching. The Port Police Department Marine Unit is also on scene assisting.
The fire on Waymon L. Boyd was extinguished at approximately 10 p.m. Friday after the vessel broke apart and sank.
Approximately, 6,000 feet of absorbent boom has been placed around the vessel. Another 4,000 feet of absorbent boom is available if needed. Air quality testing by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is ongoing.
The Coast Guard captain of the port of Corpus Christi has closed the Inner Harbor from the Chemical Turning Basin to the Viola Turning Basin.
“We greatly appreciate the efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard and other responders in their efforts to recover our missing crewmen," said Mark Stauffer, CEO, Orion Marine Group. "Our focus is on supporting our employees and their families during this difficult time and our thoughts and prayers are with them and all the first responders. We continue to work alongside the U.S. Coast Guard, the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, TCEQ, and the other agencies to assist in the recovery of our personnel and the wider investigation into this incident.”
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the impacted crewmen and their families," said Sean Strawbridge, CEO, Port of Corpus Christi. "A full investigation is underway; however, search and rescue efforts are our first priority. It will not be clear for some time the cause of this accident, and any definitive statements to the contrary would be premature. We will continue to provide updates as the situation progresses."
Previous report:
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) — The Coast Guard rescued two crewmembers and continues to search for four missing crewmembers from the dredging vessel Waymon L. Boyd after it caught fire Friday in the Port of Corpus Christi Ship Channel.
Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi watch standers were notified at 8:12 a.m. with reports from witnesses describing a fire in the Port of Corpus Christi.
A Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew was launched to the scene, hoisted two injured crewmembers, and transferred them to Corpus Christi Medical Center-Bay Area.
A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, two Station Port Aransas 45-foot response boat-medium crews, a boat crew from the cutter Chinook, and a boat crew from the cutter Manta are on scene, with the Port of Corpus Christi police and fire departments and Signet Maritime tugs, to conduct the search and respond to the fire.
The Coast Guard captain of the port of Corpus Christi has closed the Inner Harbor from Harbor Bridge inward of the ship channel.
From the Corpus Christi Caller Times:
A barge that struck a pipeline caused an explosion Friday in Corpus Christi that left several people with burns and prompted first responders to close nearby roads as they battled the blaze. Corpus Christi Police Department Deputy Chief Billy Breedlove said a pipeline exploded after a vessel hit it.
Fire Chief Robert Rocha added that six people were transported to a local hospital. Rocha said crews were attempting to get a count of how many people were around or involved in the explosion.
The extent of the injuries wasn't immediately known. Emergency crews aided eight people. Six were taken to area hospitals, four by CCFD and two by the Coast Guard. Two others refused treatment, Rocha said.
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