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Hurricane Harvey Update

Hurricane Harvey Update

Sabine Pass & Sandy Point
Several vessels are seen aground near Corpus Christi, Texas by a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew conducting an overflight, Aug. 31, 2017. The vessels ran aground as a result of Hurricane Harvey. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall.

Additional information about the vessels sunk by Hurricane Harvey. The Coast Guard has released photos of the towboats Sabine Pass, Sandy Point and Belle Chasse which were in Lydia Ann Channel near Port Aransas, Texas when the hurricane struck. Two vessels, Sabine Pass and Sandy Point, were washed ashore while the Belle Chasse sunk  in the Lydia Ann Channel. Each towboat had 2 empty barges which broke free during the hurricane. The barges now rest high and dry on the bank near the channel.  No reports of injuries as all 11 crew had been safely evacuated.

Paragon DPDS 1
A drill ship rests near the entrance to the Port of Corpus Christi, Aug. 31, 2017, after running aground during Hurricane Harvey. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall.

Salvage efforts have been started including refloating the of the drillship Paragon DPDS 1 and other vessels sunk or aground near Port Aransas or Corpus Christi, Texas.

 

Reef Elaf

Reef Elaf

Reef Elaf
Photo: timesofoman.com

On September 2, the 106 meter long, 7583 dwt cargo vessel Reef Elaf sank off the port of Al-Labki, Oman. The Reef Elaf was headed to Eritrea from Sharjah with a mix cargo of sand and iron rods when the vessel suffered a hull breach and water ingress. The vessel’s pumps were unable to contain the flooding and the Reef Elaf began to sink by the bow. The Reef Elaf requested assistance with two near by fishing boats responding. The fishing boats was able to safely evacuate all 20 crew off the cargo vessel.  No reports of injuries.

Reports state the Reef Elaf had suffered some engine problems prior to its sinking. The cause of the hull damage was not reported.

Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey
Coast Guard conducts a fly over of the Port Aransas area after a search and rescue mission, Saturday, August 26, 2016 during The aircrews were launched to assist people in distress aboard the vessels Sabine Pass, Sandy Point, and Signet Enterprise. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Corpus Christi. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Corpus Christi

On August 25, Hurricane Harvey made landfall at Rockport, Texas. Just a short distance away, the Coast Guard reported several vessels requesting assistance or had become disabled in Port Aransas.  Below is the list of commercial vessels requiring asisstance at Port Aransas.

  • The tugboat Signet Constellation had partially sank and requested assistance. Four crew rescued by the Coast Guard.
  • The 24 meter long, 232 gt tugboat Sandy Point requested assistance with four crew rescued by the Coast Guard
  • The tugboat Sabine requested assistance.  Seven crew were hoisted to safety by Coast Guard helicopters and delivered to a nearby rig near Aransas Pass.
  • The 149 meter long, 9200 dwt drillship Paragon DPDS I was reported aground at the entrance to Port Aransas. Reports state the vessel had been laid up before the hurricane and had broken its mooring lines and drifted aground.  No details if anyone was on board the vessel at the time.