Coast Guard Responds to Collision Between Two Vessels Off Coast of Galveston

Posted in Uncategorized on June 1, 2013

HOUSTON, TX — The U.S. Coast Guard responded to a collision between two deep draft ships approximately 30 miles off the coast of Galveston on Thursday, May 30, after watchstanders at Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Texas City received a report.

Coast Guard photo shows the Tank Vessel Profit after a collision with the Motor Vessel Imperial Spirit 30 miles off of the coast of Galveston May 30, 2013.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:50 a.m. when the 900-foot Tank Vessel Profit, loaded with approximately 19 million gallons of crude oil, collided with the 625-foot Motor Vessel Imperial Spirit loaded with grain.

Both vessels reported damage, but are in stable condition. There were no reports of injuries or pollution from either vessel.

The Coast Guard launched an Air Station Houston helicopter with a pollution incident responder to conduct an initial damage assessment.

Coast Guard Cutter Skipjack was also launched with a team of incident responders, marine inspectors, and marine casualty investigators to conduct a preliminary investigation and mitigate any possible further risk to the environment or the mariners aboard the two vessels.

The cause of the incident remains under investigation at this time.

Blog post by Houston maritime lawyer, Gordon, Elias & Seely.