UPDATE #1: Unified command responds to oil spill in Port Arthur

PORT ARTHUR, Texas - At 12:17 a.m. Sunday, the Dixie Vengeance and two barges were separated from the Eagle Otome and moored on the east bank of the Sabine Neches Waterway. The Unified Command continues to respond to the spill, ensuring the safety of the public and minimizing environmental impact. Currently 11 skimmers are conducting operations and air monitoring is on-going.

A collision between the towing vessel Dixie Vengeance with the two barges it was pushing, and the 807-foot tank ship Eagle Otome, resulted in damage to the Eagle Otome, which was loaded with crude oil. The current estimate of spilled oil is 420,000 gallons.

The Sabine Neches Waterway is closed to all vessel traffic along the City of Port Arthur's river front from Intracoastal Waterway mile marker 278 to Mesquite Point on the Sabine Neches Waterway. The Coast Guard has established a perimeter around the vessels in the vicinity of the reported spill to ensure the safety of the vessels involved as well as the safety of the responders.

No injuries have been reported.

Resources on scene include:

Four contracted boom vessels
26,500 feet of boom deployed
11 skimming vessels
The Texas Responder, a 210-foot oil recovery vessel
Approximately 500 people are responding
Coast Guard Cutter Manowar
Four 25-foot Response Boat-Small from Coast Guard Station Sabine Pass
Coast Guard Air Station Houston MH-65C helicopter crew
Texas General Land Office
City of Port Arthur
Jefferson County
AET

A claims number has been established for this incident. To report a claim please call 866-310-3831.

The Unified Command has established a wildlife rehabilitation number. To report injured or oiled wildlife, please contact the wildlife rehabilitation unit manager, Rhonda Morgatroyd at 409-719-5074. The public should not attempt to capture any oiled wildlife.

The Coast Guard is conducting a joint investigation with the NTSB into the incident, and all parties are fully participating.

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