MARY MEAUX
NEDERLAND — An oil tanker attempting to turn around in the Neches River struck a dock Friday morning.
The U.S. Coast Guard received a report of the Hellespont Trust, an 869 foot tanker, was turning in the basin and struck the dock with its port side bow, about 7 a.m. Feb. 5, U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Kyle Carter said.
The tanker was moored at dock 5 and struck dock 4, he added.
The ship was then taken to lower Sun Anchorage and at 10:30 a.m. Coat Guard officials boarded the ship for investigation.
“There was minor damage to the ship, dents and scratches,” he said. “No spill was reported and there were no injuries.”
An area of the ship called the “bulbous bow” struck the dock and was still intact after the impact.
The American Bureau of Shipping is also investigating the incident.
The waterway was not closed down, he said.
The incident happened less than two weeks after a collision between the Eagle Otome and the Dixie Vengeance, which was pushing two barges. The Jan. 23 collision resulted in a major oil spill and the closure of the Sabine-Neches Waterway for about a week.
A total of six found birds were found dead but the cause of death could not be determined at this time
Wildlife rehabilitation specialists were called in and by Thursday, eight oiled birds were reported. A total of six found birds were found dead but the cause of death could not be determined at this time.
mmeaux@panews.com
