Spills

In the early morning hours of june 9, 1999, the tug harvey challenger with barge, the city of new orleans in…

Harvey Challenger; Galveston, Texas · Galveston, Texas · NOAAORR-7405

issued
1999-06-09 00:00Z
status
cancelled 1999-06-23 00:00Z
self-cancels
1999-06-23 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
Gulf of Mexico
position
29.353, -94.754
vessels
TUG HARVEY CHALLENGERTUG RELEASED AN · 2 messagesBARGE TOOK
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Harvey Challenger; Galveston, Texas.
Galveston, Texas.
1. In the early morning hours of June 9, 1999, the tug Harvey Challenger with barge, The City of New Orleans in tow, allided with the rock jetty at the entrance to Galveston Bay, Texas. The City of New Orleans, a chemical carrier, was loaded with propane. The accident holed both the tug and the barge, but neither seriously. None of the propane tanks on the barge were compromised, but the barge took on water and began to list. After first light, what initially was thought to be a small fuel oil release, appeared much greater. The tug released an estimated 1200 gallons of fuel oil (the potential spill was estimated at 5000 gallons). The area threatened by the spill included many very sensitive wildlife resource areas. Birds were at the greatest risk of impact from this spill because they were present in very large numbers and many of the species present do not avoid oiled areas. Species [...]
2. COMMODITY: MARINE DIESEL. MAXIMUM POTENTIAL RELEASE: 1200 GALLONS.
3. POSITION 29.353N 094.754W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 7405: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/7405

This area · spills & pollution incidents

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

73
75
80
85
90
95
00
05
10
15
20
25
26

Season · when spills & pollution incidents happen here

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

month of issue, all years in the archive

Nearby now · within 120 nm

Worldwide now

8 spills & pollution incidents in force · see all

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

Not for navigation. This is a re-rendering of an official navigational warning for awareness; mariners must use official NAVAREA broadcasts and their national MSI service.