Houston Ship Channel Barge Accident Nearly Ends in Disaster
According to the Houston Chronicle, an accident between a barge and container ship narrowly avoided turning into an environmental disaster.
The Houston Business Journal reported that the barge-container ship accident happened on March 14 in the Houston Ship Channel. The crash occurred just north of the Texas City Y, which is the nickname of the area where the Houston Ship Channel intersects with the Intracoastal Waterway and Texas City and Galveston Ship Channels.
“Luckily, the barge sustained only minor damage when it ripped a 30-foot gash in the hull of the 394-foot cargo ship about 8:30 p.m. Friday near one of the busiest shipping intersections in the country,” U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Kidd stated.
As it stands, while there were no injuries reported in the accident, it resulted in bags of rice spilling from the gash in the cargo ship and could have resulted in an oil spill had the barge, which was carrying 840,000 gallons of fuel oil, sustained more damage in the wreck.
“We handle over 20,000 movements on the ship channel each year,” the presiding officer of the Houston Pilots, a group of contractors responsible for navigating every ship that comes through the channel, told the Houston Business Journal in November. “We operate in a hostile environment 24/7.”
Can I Sue if I am Hurt in a Barge Accident?
The Jones Act and other maritime laws are designed to protect the victims of barge accidents caused by the negligence of others. While these laws ensure that you should be compensated for lost wages, medical expenses and more if your employer’s dangerous operations or mistakes led to your injury, whether or not you get paid depends on you proving negligence was the cause.
We understand what it takes to hold those who have caused you and your family pain and suffering accountable. Our nationwide maritime trial lawyers have been successfully guiding maritime accident victims through the legal process of bringing those responsible for their injury to justice for over 50 years.
For more information about maritime accidents and injuries or to discuss your situation with a qualified attorney, call our office today to schedule a free consultation.
Latti & Anderson’s Little Extra: According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Houston Ship Channel is 40 feet deep and 300 to 400 feet wide.
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