Galveston Oil Spill Dumps 4,000 Barrels

On March 22, 2014, a collision between a barge and a tanker ship spilled 168,000 gallons, or 4,000 barrels, of marine fuel oil into Galveston Bay. The Galveston oil spill resulted in a temporary closure of the Houston Ship Channel, one of the busiest routes for commercial shipping the country. Residents of Galveston Island were stuck in their homes for days as officials closed the ferry service that carried traffic between the island to the mainland.

How the Galveston Oil Spill Happened

A barge carrying over 900,000 gallons of fuel oil collided with a tanker ship around 12:30 on a Saturday afternoon. A towboat, named the M/V Miss Susan, was pushing the oil barge and another barge toward the Bolivar Peninsula during a heavy afternoon fog when the accident occurred. Records from the U.S. Coast Guard show that the Miss Susan had been involved in up to 20 accidents since 2002, including two accidents involving barges containing fuel oil or asphalt.

Containing the Galveston Oil Spill

The U.S. Coast Guard reported that high winds, shifting currents and choppy water conditions made containing the Galveston oil spill a difficult task. The report also said that the heavy fuel oil spread nearly 12 miles into Galveston Bay. Cleanup crews skimmed tried to skim the oil off the water’s surface and employed nearly 70,000 feet of plastic containment boom panels to isolate the spill. The heavy nature of the fuel oil may also make it more difficult to remove, as it does not react to most of the chemical dispersal agents used in crude oil spill cleanup efforts.

Galveston Oil Spill Impacts Local Fishing Industry

The Galveston Bay area relies heavily on fishing, primarily shrimp and other salt-water fish, as a major component of its local economy. The Galveston oil spill has already made a significant impact on fishing efforts in the area. Local fishermen have reported that they are throwing back catches that show signs of oil immersion. The operators at a local seafood market have been ordered not to accept any catches from local fishermen due to fear of contamination. Supplies of fresh fish, shrimp and crawfish may be endangered as demand rises during the spring and summer months.

Environmental Consequences of the Galveston Oil Spill

According to observers, fish will not be the only animals affected by the Galveston oil spill. Debbie Patton of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that the spill would have greater effects on birds and other animals that touch the water’s surface. Ms. Patton said that this type of fuel oil rests on the surface more than crude oil, so animals that rise through the surface will be more affected than those that stay below the water line. Some of the affected animals can include seagulls, turtles and dolphins.

Source: Houston Chronicle

Know Your Rights Regarding the Galveston Oil Spill

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