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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.

 

Kathryn T. Devall

Kathryn T. Devall

Kathryn T. Devall
Photo: Gulfport Fire Dept via wlox.com

On August 3, a 195 foot long barge caught fire on the Intracoastal Waterway in the Mississippi Sound. The barge was under tow by the 23 meter long towboat Kathryn T. Devall carrying some 2500 pounds of anhydrous ammonia and 800 gallons of diesel fuel. Authorities in Gulfport, Mississippi were alerted and firefighters were able to douse the fire.

No reports of injuries to the 4 crew on board.  The Kathryn T. Devall and the barge were not in danger of sinking, but the vessels required to be towed to shore. An environmental team was dispatched to help with cleanup.

 

Eric Haney

Eric Haney

Eric Haney
Photo: uscg

On July 9, the 48 meter long towboat Eric Haney sank on the Mississippi River near Cairo, Illinois. Reports state all 9 crew was able to evacuate safely when the vessel sank. The towboat had some 79,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board at the time of the sinking. Just after the sinking, a light sheen could be seen a short distance down river, but no further pollution was reported.

The Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit out of Paducah, Kentucky were dispatched to the scene to conduct an initial assessment. Authorities have deployed a boom around the vessel to contain any pollution that may be released. A salvage plan to pull the towboat out of the river is being worked on.

The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.