Barge Navigates to Galveston Bridge, Containing Oil Spill

A unified command has been established to manage the response to a barge strike on the Pelican Island Causeway in Galveston, Texas. The collision, which occurred on Wednesday, involved the MMLP321 A Martin Marine barge and resulted in vacuum gas oil being released into the water. Responders have contained the source of the spill, and efforts are underway to determine the amount of oil spilled and assess the extent of the damage.

The Pelican Island Bridge, overseen by Galveston County Navigational District 1, was damaged in the incident. While the bridge remains open to automobile traffic leaving Pelican Island and to pedestrians, access may be limited depending on the extent of the damage. Texas A&M students, faculty, and non-essential staff were evacuated as a precautionary measure, and specific instructions related to the incident should be followed.

The Pelican Island Bridge Collision Response Unified Command includes the U.S. Coast Guard, Texas General Land Office, and Martin Marine, with support from various agencies like Texas A&M University Galveston Campus, Texas Department of Transportation, and NOAA. A comprehensive assessment of the structure is being conducted, and additional resources are being mobilized to deal with the oil spill.

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