These reports describe significant environmental incidents reported to and tracked by the National Response Center. They reflect both new incidents and follow-up information describing actions taken for previously reported events. The NRC publishes Incident Summary Reports periodically upon receipt of documentary information from the Federal On-Scene Coordinator.
| NRC Case #: | 006-97 |
|---|---|
| INSUM #: | One and Final |
| Occurance Date: | 12 February 1997 |
| Location: | Galveston Ship Channel |
| Source: | T/V Overseas Valdez |
| Material: | #2 Heating Oil |
| Severity: | Potential Major |
| Quantity Discharged: | None |
| Quantity in Water: | None |
| Body of Water Affected: | Galveston Ship Channel |
| Federal On-Scene Coordinator: | Marine Safety Unit Galveston, TX |
Situation: On Wednesday, February 12, 1997, at approximately 2230 hours local time, the T/V Overseas Valdez transiting outbound the Galveston Ship Channel struck the #5 channel buoy. The buoy anchor chain became entangled around the ship's rudder and propeller causing the vessel to lose steerage and propulsion. The vessel was able to drop anchor but is currently soft aground 3nm southeast of the Galveston Jetties. The Galveston Ship Channel remains open. The single skinned vessel contains approximately 274,000 barrels on #2 heating oil. The vessel has been boomed off but there have been no reports of pollution. A barge is on scene to conduct lightering operations and attempting to refloat the vessel. Machinery test indicated that the rudder and shaft are free of the buoy chain. MSU Galveston plans to monitor the lightering operations and continue its investigation of the incident. CASE CLOSED THIS UNIT