Texas City Barge Accident Leads to 160,000-Gallon Oil Spill

According to The Daily News, on March 22, a barge and ship were involved in a collision near the Texas City Dike, which resulted in a 160,000-gallon oil spill.

The accident happened about 12:30 p.m. at the intersection of the Intracoastal Waterway, Houston Ship Channel and Texas Ship Channel. The collision involved a 585-foot bulk carrier and one of two barges being towed by a tugboat. The barge that was in the crash was carrying 924,000 gallons of bunker oil.

Two crewmembers from the barge were taken to Mainland Medical Center for treatment after the wreck. As a result of the accident, 160,000 gallons or 3,800 barrels of bunker oil, a heavy and highly polluting crude oil, leaked from the barge into Galveston Bay. Authorities had to close the Houston Ship Channel and evacuate the dike and surrounding areas because of the spill.

“This is an extremely serious spill,” said Coast Guard Capt. Brian Penoyer. “This is a persistent oil. It’s a large quantity. It will spread. People should be aware of that.”

The investigation into the accident and cleanup of the oil spill were still ongoing at the time of this report.

Do You Need a Lawyer for a Barge Accident?

If you have been injured in any type of maritime accident, you owe it to yourself and your family to seek the advice of a qualified attorney. As nationwide maritime trial lawyer David Anderson explains in the video below, while it is not true that under all circumstances you are better off hiring a lawyer, it is always a good idea to discuss your situation with an attorney before deciding. Our attorneys will explain the laws and talk to you about your case for free.

To learn more about barge 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 CNN, reportedly, $300 million was given as a one-time payment to 11,000 fishermen after the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Latti & Anderson LLP Nationwide Maritime Attorneys

Source: http://www.galvestondailynews.com/free/article_6340123e-b1fc-11e3-987d-0017a43b2370.html, http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/13/world/oil-spills-fast-facts/