Houston Ship Channel Clean Up Continues After Barge Mishap

CLEAR LAKE, TX — U.S. Coast Guard officials along with members of the Texas General Land Office, Port of Houston Fire Department and Kirby Inland Marine are continuing with clean up efforts in the Houston Ship Channel where two vessels collided last Friday, spilling at least 9,000 of gasoline additive into the ship channel.

Officials with the unified command said crews had secured both damaged barges and were offloading barrels of gasoline additive as well as conducting salvage operations from the capsized barge.

“Coordination between federal, state and industry partners remains instrumental in the progress we’ve made in securing the barges to minimize impact to the environment,” Capt. Richard Howes, federal on-scene coordinator said in a statement.

Officials in Kemah said unified command officials had booms in the water and were working with local property owners as they conduct continual testing of the water to determine the impact on area on wildlife.

Since the collision, residents in the area have reported seeing dead fish, birds, and crabs washing ashore.

The Texas Dept. of State Health Services continues to warn against eating seafood that smells or tastes like oil or gas, regardless of where it was caught.

If anyone discovers marine or wildlife that may have been impacted by this event, please report it to the TX GLO hotline at 800-832-8224.

READ ALSO: 2 Barges Collide With Tanker In Houston Ship Channel

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