Vessel carrying 100 gallons of fuel sank overnight Friday in Corpus Christi Bay
A small vessel carrying an estimated 100 gallons of fuel sank overnight in the Corpus Christi Bay ship channel Friday evening.
The two occupants who were onboard the vessel, identified as the David Lundin, are safe, and no major injuries were reported, according to a news release from the city of Corpus Christi.
T&T Marine Salvage of Galveston is working with Russell Marine of Ingleside to expedite the recovery of the sunken vessel, as of Saturday afternoon, the city's news release stated.
Just before midnight Friday, the 26-foot by 15-foot small workboat sank near mark 74, halfway between the Harbor Bridge and La Quinta Channel, about a mile from the Harbor Bridge.
The U.S. Coast Guard established a safety zone at the incident site.
The Texas General Land Office and Port of Corpus Christi were also engaged with the situation. The TGLO will become actively involved with any environmental impacts, should they occur.
In an email, a spokesperson for the Port of Corpus Christi said the U.S. Coast Guard restricted vessel traffic through a portion of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel as it works to recover the workboat.
"The Port of Corpus Christi is working closely with the (U.S. Coast Guard) and coordinating agencies to remove the obstruction and facilitate lifting of the (U.S. Coast Guard) safety zone that currently is impacting a portion of the ship channel," the spokesperson said. "To assist with the safe recovery of the sunken vessel, the Port has mobilized numerous resources — including the Port Police marine unit — and contracted underwater surveys as well. No environmental impacts have been identified as responders confirmed there is no visible fuel leakage."
Out of caution, the Port of Corpus Christi notified its contracted spill response team.
"The Port of Corpus Christi Harbormaster’s Office will continue to support ongoing coordination of waterway users and resumption of vessel movement through the site once the salvage has been completed and cleared by (the U.S. Coast Guard)," the spokesperson said. "The safety of those involved as well as that of surrounding communities remains the top priority for the Port of Corpus Christi."
Corpus Christi's Emergency Management Office is actively engaged in the situation.
Attempts to reach the management office and U.S. Coast Guard were unsuccessful Saturday.
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Sunken ship with 100 gallons of fuel being saved in Corpus Christi Bay
