Americas News
Clean Up Underway After Bunker Spill Near Port Isabel
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) says clean up operations are underway after a towing vessel, Capt. Jim Green, struck a dock near Port Isabel, Texas, releasing an estimated 20,000 gallons of low sulfur diesel fuel into the water.
The spill is said to have occurred at mile marker 667 of the Intracoastal Waterway at the dock of engineering, construction and services company, Subsea 7, at 11:24 p.m. on Tuesday.
The spill source is noted to have been secured, and no impacts to wildlife have so far been reported.
"We were immediately notified by the crew of Jim Green and responded quickly with our partners at the Texas General Land Office," said Captain Tony Hahn, commander for Sector Corpus Christi.
"We will be assessing the impacted areas quickly and will ensure a robust and thorough cleanup."
Miller Environmental is said to have been conducting air monitoring and oil recovery operations, while USCG was conducting an over flight alongside pollution responders to assess impacts to the waterway and surrounding areas.
Authorities are said to have opened an investigation into the cause of the incident.
Earlier this week, USCG announced that clean up operations were also underway for a 100 gallon bunker spill that occurred in the Missouri River near Kansas City, Missouri
That clean up operation has since been deemed complete by authorities.
