May 17th 2024.
According to recent reports, there has been a significant oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico near the island city of Galveston in eastern Texas. It is believed that up to 2,000 gallons of oil may have leaked into the water after a bunker barge collided with a bridge. The US Coast Guard has taken charge of the situation and has already contained the source of the leakage.
In an update by Xinhua news agency, the Coast Guard has stated that they have been able to successfully deploy planes and drones to assess the extent of the spill. As a precaution, they have also closed off a 6.5-mile stretch of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, a major shipping channel in the region. Galveston, which is approximately 50 miles away from Houston, has been at the center of this unfortunate accident.
During a recent press conference, Coast Guard Captain Keith Donohue expressed confidence that the amount of oil that entered the water is significantly lower than their initial estimates. He stated that they were able to retrieve over 605 gallons of oily water mixture from the environment and an additional 5,640 gallons of oil product from the top of the barge, which did not spill.
The barge, which is 321 feet long and has a capacity of holding 30,000 barrels of oil, was carrying 23,000 barrels at the time of the accident, according to Rick Freed, the vice president of the barge operator, Martin Marine. The collision occurred on Wednesday when a tugboat lost control of two barges due to a break in the coupling connecting them. One of the barges crashed into the bridge, causing a partial collapse and leading to the closure of the only land connection from Galveston to Pelican Island. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
Freed also mentioned that an investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the accident. Meanwhile, Joseph Gordon from the ocean conservation group Oceana has expressed concern about the impact of this incident on the coastal communities, wildlife, and waters. However, according to Danny Reible, a Texas Tech University professor, the spill is not expected to have significant long-term consequences due to the relatively small volume of oil on board the barge.
This unfortunate incident comes just a few weeks after a cargo ship collided with a support column of the Francis Key Bridge in Baltimore, resulting in six fatalities. The authorities are working diligently to minimize the damage caused by the oil spill and ensure the safety of the surrounding areas. Our thoughts are with the communities and individuals affected by this accident, and we hope for a swift and thorough resolution.
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