Image of jackup rig struck by tanker off Port Aransas, image via gCaptain contributor

On the approach into the channel at Port Aransas, Texas this morning, the 74k DWT product tanker, FR8 Pride, a Scorpio Tanker-managed vessel, lost power and collided with the Rowan EXL-1 jackup drilling rig.

FR8 Pride, image via gCaptain contributor

AIS tracking data indicates the FR8 Pride may have been traveling at around 8.8 knots at the time of the incident.

The following is the report from the US Coast Guard:

Watchstanders at Sector Corpus Christi received a report at 7:25 a.m., that the Rowan EXL-1, a mobile offshore drilling unit, and the 750-foot tanker vessel FR8 Pride had collided in the Aransas Channel, near buoy 3.

The FR8 Pride was heading inbound in the Aransas Pass Channel when it reportedly lost propulsion and drifted into the Rowan EXL-1.

The FR8 Pride was able to separate itself from the Rowan EXL-1 with the assistance of nearby tugs.

The Rowan EXL-1 suffered significant damage, resulting in a minor hydraulic oil leak from a damaged crane.

The crew of the Rowan EXL-1 was able to move the MODU offshore and stabilize it by deploying its legs.

The crew of the FR8 Pride reported flooding in a forward ballast space, but they were able to control the flooding and ground the FR8 Pride two miles offshore.

The Coast Guard deployed multiple assets to respond to the collision including:

• Two MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter from Air Station Corpus Christi
• An HU-25 Guardian jet from Air Station Corpus Christi
• Two 45-foot Response Boat – Medium from Station Port Aransas
• The Coast Guard Cutter Manatee homeported in Corpus Christi

The Coast Guard has currently deployed teams of offshore vessel inspectors, port state control examiners, marine casualty investigators and pollution responders.

The Aransas Pass Channel remains open to traffic.

There were no reports of injuries or significant pollution.

The Coast Guard is currently investigating the cause of the incident.

FR8 Pride AIS track, via MarineTraffic.com

OSG's Overseas Beryl. Photo (c) Knut Helge Schistad via Shipspotting.com

The Coast Guard, along with the Louisiana Department of Envrionmental Quality and Plaquemines Parish, said it responded to a fuel oil spill late Monday and into Tuesday on the lower Mississippi River near mile marker 84, approximately 10 miles downriver from New Orleans.

The Coast Guard received notification at approximately 10:08 p.m. Monday night that the 803-foot tanker Overseas Beryl was discharging No. 6 heavy fuel oil into the Mississippi River following vessel refueling operations at Nine Mile Anchorage.

A pollution response team from CG Sector New Orleans arrived at the vessel and discovered fuel oil discharging from a ballast water overboard discharge pipe and into the water. The Coast Guard says the pipe was plugged at approximately 4 a.m., which stopped the flow of oil.

Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc., who owns and operates the 94,799 dwt Overseas Beryl, is responsible for the cleanup and has reportedly contracted the Marine Spill Response Corporation to head the spill response and O’Brien’s Response Managements as the spill management team.

According to the Coast Guard statement released earlier today, two skimming vessels, response boats and personnel from U.S. Environmental Services, Clean Gulf Associates and MSRC were on scene as of this morning and crews have deploying boom to protect sensitive areas.  The USCG also says that responders have installed protective boom at Plaquemines Parish water intakes, and the parish has secured the intakes as a precautionary measure.

The Coast Guard issued a safety marine information broadcast to mariners however the portion of the Mississippi remains open.

“We’re still assessing the amount of oil spilled and potential impacts, but we’re responding aggressively in an effort to minimize impacts along the Mississippi River,” said Capt. Pete Gautier, the Coast Guard Federal On-Scene Coordinator.

There are currently no injuries or impacts to wildlife reported and the Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.