Spills

Bayou lafousche /barge pc 2901; upper galveston bay, houston ship channel, texas

NOAAORR-6217

issued
1973-03-09 00:00Z
status
cancelled 1973-03-23 00:00Z
self-cancels
1973-03-23 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
Gulf of Mexico
position
29.633, -94.967
vessels
BARGE DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITYBARGE HELD
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Bayou Lafousche /Barge PC 2901; Upper Galveston Bay, Houston Ship Channel, Texas.
Upper Galveston Bay, Houston Ship Channel, Texas.
1. On March 9, 1973 at approximately 1326, the tank vessel T/V Mayo Lykes collided with the Bayou Lafousche/Barge PC 2901. The bow of the T/V Mayo Lykes, penetrated the port bow of the barge at a 45-60 degree angle, and almost cut the barge in two. Only the starboard outer skin of the barge held the vessel together. A large quantity of the 23,000 barrels of Louisiana crude oil and Bunker C spilled into the water upon impact. Later estimates reported 10,000 barrels of pollutant spilled into the water. Part of the spilled amount was released in the collision while the remainder leaked from the damaged tanks over the next several days. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were extremely adverse. Extensive fog, winds of 30-35 knots with 40 knot gusts, and seas of 3-4 feet hampered early containment attempts. Since the owner and operator of the damaged barge denied any responsibility [...]
2. COMMODITY: LOUISIANA CRUDE, BUNKER C. MAXIMUM POTENTIAL RELEASE: 420000 GALLONS.
3. POSITION 29.633N 094.967W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 6217: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/6217

This area · spills & pollution incidents

515 within 180 nm since 1973 · 13 in the last 12 months · 1 in force now

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Spills

Oil and chemical spills, groundings and vessel casualties with a pollution threat: NOAA IncidentNews responses since 1957, and spill-response areas broadcast as navigational warnings. All current spills & pollution incidents

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