On October 29, the 153 meter long, 14359 dwt cargo vessel Ocean Freedom allided with a moored barge in the inner harbor at Corpus Christi, Texas. The Ocean Freedom, loaded with steel from Colon, struck directly into the empty barge damaging the bow of the cargo vessel. No reports of injuries or pollution released. The Coast Guard dispatched a response team to the scene along with inspectors and investigators. Authorities has launched an investigation into the incident.
The 33 meter long tugboat Peter F. Gellatly and its barge ran aground at the entrance to Galveston Bay off East Beach on Galveston Island, Texas. The Peter F. Gellatly had dropped anchor offshore with its unladen barge while awaiting a passing storm, the remnant of Hurricane Patricia. Winds from the storm with gusts reaching 40 mph caused pushed the vessels back towards the shoreline. The anchors on the Peter F. Gellatly were unable to keep the vessels from running aground on the beach. No reports of injuries to the 6 crew on board, damage or pollution released. Reports state salvage operations will begin when weather permits.
The 25 foot long tugboat Annie Moon and a 200 foot long barge sank in the Houston Ship Channel near Galena Park, Texas. During the night, the barge suffered water ingress and began to sink. The tugboat Annie Moon still attached and was pulled down with the barge. The Annie Moon completely sank while the barge sank with three-quarters of the barge submerged. No one was on board the vessels at the time of the sinking. Authorities report that 20 gallons of diesel fuel was released into the water. A heavy lift crane was to be brought to the scene and will remove both vessels from the channel.
