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Bulker and barge collision causes spill in Houston Ship Channel

Bulker and barge collision causes spill in Houston Ship Channel
The US authorities are battling a bunker oil spill in the Houston Ship Channel after a bulker collided with a barge on 22 March afternoon.

The bulk carrier Summer Wind collided a barge loaded with 924,000 gallons of bunker oil near Texas City.  The barge was being towed by the motor vessel Miss Susan.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) said a joint response was underway to tackle the spill. Four skimming vessels remained on scene overnight to tackle the spill and additional 20 vessels were being prepared to join the clean-up on Sunday morning.

“The primary concern remains the safety of responders and the protection of the environment. To ensure the safety of response workers in the area, and to prevent the spread of oil into other areas of the channel and Galveston Bay, a safety zone has been established, which restricts vessel traffic in impacted waters,” the USCG said.

“The Bolivar ferry remains closed with the exception of EMS transit,” it added.