Cleanup efforts are underway in the Galveston Ship Channel after a vessel struck Pier 32 on Tuesday night, causing an oil spill that temporarily shut down a busy stretch of the waterway and disrupted cruise ship traffic.
Teams from the U.S. Coast Guard and the Texas General Land Office are actively addressing the aftermath of a vessel collision that occurred in the Galveston Ship Channel on Tuesday night. This incident resulted in an oil spill and necessitated a temporary halt to marine traffic.
A Coast Guard representative reported that the agency received notification shortly before 10 p.m. On Tuesday, a vessel struck Pier 32, resulting in an oil spill in the channel.
Officials have temporarily shut down the waterway connecting the Gulf Copper Shipyard to the Pelican Island Bridge, affecting all types of vessels, including freighters and cruise ships. The Port of Galveston spokesperson reported that the closure led to the redirection of at least one cruise ship to a different terminal.
Businesses in the area that rely on cruise ship tourists felt the effects immediately. Jackie Hubbard, a manager at the Ocean Star Museum, noted that the change in docking locations resulted in a decline in customer numbers.
Carnival cruise ships arrive when the ports close, according to Hubbard. “When they shut everything down, it prevents access over here, which in turn hampers our traffic.” The arrival of cruise ships generates a significant portion of our business.
The previously impacted section of the channel is now operational. The Coast Guard has implemented new regulations requiring all vessels to remain at least 200 feet from Pier 32 and to adhere to safe speeds to ensure cleanup operations are not disturbed.
Authorities have yet to provide information on the volume of oil spilled or the reasons behind the collision. Cleanup crews are actively monitoring the area and recovering oil from the water's surface.
The ongoing investigation into the crash has prompted the Coast Guard to deploy containment booms and skimmers to mitigate further environmental damage.
Residents and business owners, including Hubbard, are optimistic that operations and customer traffic will soon return to normal. Hubbard is optimistic that they will address the situation and resolve it promptly.
