Barge Collision Shuts Waterway

HOUSTON - Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Galveston temporarily closed the Intracoastal Waterway in Freeport, Texas Tuesday night after a barge collision occured in the Kirby Barge Fleeting area.

The tug boat Drum Point, was pushing two barges loaded with Naphtha, when the collision occurred. The third barge contained more than 1 million gallons of Cumene. The collision resulted in a fracture to the hull of the barge containing Cumene. However, no cargo was spilled into the water, and the barges carrying Naphtha were only slightly damaged.

The Coast Guard established a safety zone in the waterway surrounding the damaged barge. The Coast Guard also temporarily closed the Intracoastal Waterway until the barge could be moved to repair facilities at the Dow Chemical Plant.

The waterway has since been re-opened.