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.
| Occurrence Date: | 17 February |
|---|---|
| Location: | Houston Ship Channel |
| Source: | T/B Hollywood 2019 |
| Material: | Raffinate |
| Severity: | Medium |
| Quantity Discharged: | 4,788 Gallons |
| Quantity in Water: | 4,788 Gallons |
| Body of Water Affected: | Houston Ship Channel |
| Federal On-Scene Coordinator: | MSO Houston |
On February 17, a tug and tow combination inbound on the Houston Ship Channel struck a spud barge and section of a dredge pipeline near light 42. The lead barge in the tow Hollywood 2019 sustained 4 x 2 foot gash to its #3 cargo tank. Consequently, 4,788 gallons of Raffinate, a highly volatile petroleum refining feed stock, was released into the channel. The leaking barge is 1/4 mile East of commercial oyster beds and 5-7 miles South of environmentally sensitive Atkinson Island although shoreline impacts are not expected. Houston Ship Channel was closed for 7 hours to facilitate lightering operations. Future plans are to continue clean up and lightering of the barge. The FOSC is USCG MSO Houston.