An oil spill was reported near Galveston after a vessel collided with Pier 32 at the Port of Galveston on Tuesday night, the U.S. Coast Guard said. The amount of fuel oil released has not yet been determined as authorities continue their investigation. According to KHOU, Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received a report of the spill at approximately 9:50 p.m. The source of the spill has been secured to prevent further environmental damage.
The Coast Guard, the Texas General Land Office, and Forestwave Navigation BV—the operator of the vessel involved in the spill—have deployed personnel and resources to the site. As a precaution, a section of the Galveston Ship Channel, from Gulf Copper to the Pelican Island Bridge, has been temporarily closed to reduce the impact of the spill while cleanup operations continue, as reported by ABC13.
No injuries or impacts to local wildlife have been reported, while responders continue to monitor air quality and assess safety risks. Federal agencies are coordinating with the vessel’s operator to manage the spill, although the amount of oil released has not been determined. Containment and cleanup operations are ongoing, and mariners have been advised to remain alert. "The Coast Guard is asking mariners to report any oil sightings to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802," to help assess the extent of the spill and support cleanup efforts, as stated by KHOU.
