Heavy Fog Causes Problems in Houston Ship Channel, Two Vessels Collide

Two ships collided Tuesday morning while transiting the Houston Ship Channel north of the Texas City Dike in heavy fog, according to the USCG.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston said they received a report at approximately 8:08 a.m. that the 630-foot tanker, Charleston and the Harvest Moon, a 623-foot cargo vessel, had collided.  No injuries or environmental damage was reported.

A portion of the Houston Ship Channel from Light #28 through Light #40 was closed to traffic as a precautionary measure for the anchored ships, the Coast Guard said in a statement.  The section remained closed as of 4:30 local time.

The incident is currently under investigation and officials have not determined if weather played a role in the accident.

Meanwhile Houston ship boardings were suspended following the accident for nearly seven hours due to fog but resumed at about 3 p.m. local time.

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