Cleanup underway after barge leaks up to 2,000 gallons of oil in Galveston

GALVESTON, Texas (TND) — It's estimated that 1,000 to 2,000 gallons of oil leaked into surrounding water after a barge hit a bridge in Galveston, Texas Wednesday.

Officials with the U.S. Coast Guard, Texas General Land Office and Martin Marine provided an update on the ongoing efforts at Pelican Island Bridge and the Galveston Bay more than 24 hours after the collision.

A break in the barge's coupling caused the 321-foot barge to strike, according to Rick Freed, Vice President of the barge operator, Marine Division.

"The collision caused one of the cargo tanks to be compromised and the vacuum gas oil spilled in the water," said Freed.

He assured that the source of the leak was contained.

Crews are working to clean up the oil spill and efforts to remove the barge from the pier are underway as inclement weather in the area is expected.

Freed pointed out that the exact amount of oil that was spilled won't be determined until the barge is gone.

Crews with the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Houston Overflight and drones are evaluating the extent of the oil spill, which is believed to have no impact on wildlife at the moment.

Galveston County Navigation District and the Texas Department of Transportation are accessing damage to the bridge that connects people to Texas A&M Galveston and a few businesses on the small island.

A crew of 200 with the U.S. Coast Guard were deployed to the scene to protect personnel and citizens, the environment, recover oil from the water, salvage the barge and restoring the safety of the bridge, according to Capt. Keith Donohue, the U.S. Coast Guard Commander for the Sector Houston-Galveston.

Over 600 gallons of oily water mixture from the water and an additional 640 gallons of oil on top of the barge were recovered, according to Donohue.

Jeffrey Davis, the on-scene coordinator with Texas General Land Office said there have been no reports of wildlife impacted.

If the public has an oil wildlife report to make they can call 832-514-9663.

"We do not want people to go and try to retrieve the the critter and take care of themselves. We want folks to call the number and we have professionals on standby to go and retrieve the animal and and rehabilitate it," said Davis.

Dolphins that have been spotted in the area are being monitored.

Davis noted that water samples were being collected that'll be surveyed.

Pedestrian traffic on the bridge is allowed.

Donohue said they opened a one way area for vessel traffic for people who were stuck on the island to leave.

It was reported Wednesday that weather may have played a role in the crash.

Freed said there were no high winds or other weather conditions.

The barge's coupling issue is under investigation. Freed said he couldn't disclose any details until the investigation was completed when pressed about how the vessels became disconnected.

The concrete structure that landed on top of the barge is expected to be removed Friday morning. Once removed, crews are expected to determine what will happen with the barge.

"So that's all that plan, the salvage plan is underway and being looked at for approval right now," said Freed.

Officials couldn't specify how long the bridge would remain closed.

"Until we move the boat, the barge from the bridge, we cannot do as a safe, full safe survey of the bridge," explained Donohue. "So at this point we deem it's okay for pedestrian traffic at the time. But until we move the boat the barge out of the area, we can't do it full dive assessment at this time."

University officials stated that the campus, which is on Pelican Island, will remain closed for an "extended period of time."

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