UPDATE 2: Unified command established for vessel collision in Galveston, Texas

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas Contact: 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas Office: (281) 464-4810 After Hours: (832) 293-1293 PA Detachment Texas online newsroom

Unified command established for vessel collision in Galveston, Texas

HOUSTON —A unified command consisting of the Coast Guard, federal on-scene coordinator, Texas General Land Office, state on-scene coordinator, and Mr. Harry Stark, the fishing vessel Pappy's Pride's insurance underwriters, has been established Wednesday in response to the collision between the 81-foot fishing vessel Pappy's Pride and the 600-foot chemical tanker Bow Fortune near the Galveston jetties in Galveston, Texas.

The search for two fishermen from the 81-foot fishing vessel Pappy's Pride continues. Search and rescue efforts have been conducted through aerial flights, shore patrols and maritime searches. 

Approximately 500-feet of containment boom has been placed around the capsized vessel, and teams are conducting shoreline assessments to determine impact. Sheens of unrecoverable product have been reported in the vicinity of the capsized vessel. The maximum potential of the release is 14,000 gallons of diesel fuel. The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund has been accessed to contract a local recovery organization to conduct clean-up of any recoverable product that has entered the water and remove any threat of pollution from the vessel. 

Salvage of the Pappy's Pride will be contracted through the fishing vessel's insurance underwriters. 

A temporary safety zone has been established for waters near Galveston Bay Entrance Channel within 300-yards of the sunken fishing vessel. Vessel Traffic Service Houston-Galveston has directed no meeting or overtaking, with wake and surge considerations given for vessels transiting on the Houston Ship Channel between lighted buoys 7 and 9. 

The cause of the collision is under investigation. 

Involved in the response are: 

• A Station Galveston 45-foot Response Boat–Medium boat crew
• Station Galveston 29-foot Response Boat–Small boat crews
• An Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter aircrew
• The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Beluga
• Sector Houston-Galveston Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) team
• Marine Safety Unit Texas City personnel
• Texas City Fire Department Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) team
• Multiple good Samaritan vessels 
• Galveston Police Department 
• Galveston County Sheriff's Office
• Galveston Island Beach Patrol
• Texas General Land Office
• Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office Dive Team

For previous releases please visit the PA Detachment Texas online newsroom.

-USCG-