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Preliminary Marine Accident Summary published

On Apr 3 the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its Preliminary Marine Accident Summary on the collision between the "Carla Maersk" and the bulkcarrier "Conti Peridot" in the Houston Ship Channel on Mar 9. The ships collided near the buoys 80 and 90 close to Morgan’s Point in Texas. Both vessels suffered damage, and the fuel additive MTBE was leaked into the ocean after the Carla Maersk’s ballast tanks were penetrated. The Houston Ship Channel was closed for three days to contain the spill. The investigation of the cause of the collision was still ongoing. After weighing anchor offshore at the entrance to the Houston Ship Channel and boarding a pilot, the "Conti Peridot" proceeded inbound at about 09.30 a.m. up the channel to City Dock 24 to discharge its cargo of steel rolls. About the same time, the "Carla Maersk" departed Kinder Morgan Terminal in Galena Park with a pilot on board and carrying 216,049 barrels (bbls) of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) outbound for Venezuela. The "Conti Peridot" got under way in good visibility. The "Carla Maersk" departed in light rain with a low cloud ceiling. As the vessels proceeded with their transits, radio transmissions between vessels reported developing fog in the Houston Ship Channel. At 11.30 a.m., Houston Pilots suspended pilot boarding at the entrance channel due to fog. Piloted vessels already under way continued their transits. An hour later, with visibility estimated by the "Conti Peridot" pilot to be a ship’s length, preliminary data indicated both vessels were at half-ahead traveling just over 8 knots as they approached each other south of Morgan’s Point. The pilot on the "Conti Peridot" was having trouble returning to the channel center after passing another vessel and initiated a port-to-port passing arrangement with the pilot on the "Carla Maersk". After this arrangement was made, preliminary data showed the "Conti Peridot" moved to the left side of the channel and then back to the right. At this time, the "Conti Peridot" pilot ordered hard starboard and full ahead in an effort to counter his vessel’s anticipated movement to the left. The pilot on the "Conti Peridot" warned the pilot on the "Carla Maersk" that he was coming back across the centerline of the channel toward his vessel. When the pilot on the "Carla Maersk" saw the bow of the "Conti Peridot" emerge from the fog, he ordered hard starboard and full ahead in an effort to avoid what he perceived to be an imminent collision. The "Conti Peridot"’s bow struck the port side of the "Carla Maersk", penetrating the two port wing ballast tanks and the no. 4 port cargo tank, which held about 15,495 bbls of MTBE. After the impact, the "Carla Maersk" developed a port list, and the crew took action to move cargo and ballast to correct the list. No injuries were reported onboard either vessel. The Houston Port Authority initially responded to the incident due to the release of hazardous materials, and a Unified Command was established soon after the collision to manage the emergency response operations and planning. The US Coast Guard classified the accident as a major marine casualty. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the lead federal investigative agency for the accident, launched a team of investigators and a Board Member to the scene the following morning. While on scene, investigators retrieved data from vessel voyage data recorders (VDR), electronic navigation systems, and alarms as well as closed circuit television systems along the waterway. Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Houston data were also collected. Investigators noted the operational condition of propulsion machinery and tested the steering systems aboard each vessel. They also interviewed officers and crewmembers from both vessels, the two Houston pilots, and VTS watchstanders. Drug and alcohol testing was conducted for relevant personnel. Results are pending at this time. Parties to the investigation are the US Coast Guard, "Carla Maersk" owner, "Conti Peridot" owner, flag administrations for Liberia and Denmark, Houston Pilot Association, and the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports. Both ships were still in Houston at the time being.

Houston Ship Channel reopened after tanker was moved away

Ships and barges resumed transit along the previously closed section of the Houston Ship Channel in the morning of Mar 12, after responders moved the "Clara Maersk" out of the channel to Barbour's Cut turning basin. Responders finished removing the liquid cargo from the ship’s two breached tanks early in the morning. The partial removal of cargo, Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether, was a necessary step before the ship could be moved to a safe harbor. Plans also included checking the structural integrity of the vessel before moving it to another location. High-density foam was used to suppress flammable vapors from the damaged tanks. Extensive air monitoring around the ship showed no sign of vapors seeping from the vessel. Responders continued to conduct air and water tests, which show no public health or environmental concerns. The "Conti Peridot" was already moved on Mar 10 to the Port Authority’s Turning Basin terminal. The cause of the collision remained under investigation. Report with photo: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/156832/houston-ship-channel-fully-reopened#.VQKhCOFzuzc