The Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur reopened the Intracoastal Waterway after the towing vessel Caroline was refloated Monday.
The waterway was closed following a collision between the towing vessel Caroline and the towing vessel Miss Stacie at mile marker 312 on the Intracoastal Waterway early this morning. No injuries were sustained during the collision.
A Unified Command comprised of Canal Barge Company, Texas General Land Office, Oil Mop and the Coast Guard was established to respond to the incident. A minimal amount of oil was released from the Caroline and was cleaned up by Oil Mop.
The Caroline was re-floated at 11:10 and was then towed to Bollinger Shipyard in Lake Charles, La., for repairs. The Caroline’s barges were transported to Houston by the towing vessel Coushatta.
The Intracoastal Waterway was re-opened at 3 p.m. to eastbound and westbound traffic.