Oil spill reported near Galveston; air monitoring underway
The U.S. Coast Guard and the Texas General Land Office are responding to an oil spill reported Tuesday night near the Port of Galveston.
The U.S. Coast Guard and the Texas General Land Office are responding to an oil spill reported Tuesday night near the Port of Galveston.
According to officials, Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received a call around 9:50 p.m. about a discharge of fuel oil after a vessel struck Pier 32 at the port.
The source of the spill has been secured, but the amount of oil released is still under investigation.
The Coast Guard said it’s working with the Texas General Land Office and the vessel’s operator, Forestwave Navigation BV, to contain and clean up the spill. Personnel and equipment are already on scene.
As a precaution, the Galveston Ship Channel has been closed from Gulf Copper to the Pelican Island Bridge to limit the spill’s impact.
Officials say air quality and area safety are being continuously monitored, and there have been no reports of injuries or harm to wildlife.
Mariners are asked to report any signs of oil to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.
The cause of the allision remains under investigation.
