Pollution and Salvage Response Continues After Dredging Vessel Fire in Corpus Christi

Absorbent boom surrounds the dredge vessel Waymon L Boyd in the Port of Corpus Christi Ship Channel Aug. 22, 2020. Approximately 6000 feet of absorbent boom has been placed around the dredge vessel to help mitigate possible environmental impacts. U.S. Coast Guard Photo

The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies continue pollution and salvage response for the dredging vessel Waymon L Boyd in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Dive and salvage operations commenced at approximately 10 a.m. Sunday morning and were ongoing throughout the day.

A piece of the dredging vessel was located in the middle of the channel and is currently in the process of being safely removed.

The Texas General Land Office, state lead for coastal oil spill response, was reported to be on scene and working contain any oil spilled. Approximately 1,600 gallons of diesel fuel has been removed from the water and 680 gallons of diesel fuel/water was skimmed overnight Saturday, the Coast Guard reported.

The Coast Guard received reports just after 8 a.m. on Friday reporting a fire on the dredge Waymon L Boyd in the Port of Corpus Christi. A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued two injured crew members while four remained missing.

The bodies of two crew members were recovered at approximately 2 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Saturday. The search for two missing crew members was suspended Saturday night.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

“The Captain of the Port has reopened the Corpus Christi Ship Channel with certain restrictions from Chemical Basin to Viola Basin,” said Sean Strawbridge, CEO, Port of Corpus Christi.

“While the search and rescue mission for the lost crewmen of the Waymon L Boyd has concluded, the suffering of the injured crew members and the families of those lost still endures. Our heartfelt prayers are with them all,” added Strawbridge. “The Port of Corpus Christi and the Incident Management Team continues the recovery and salvage of the vessel in partnership with Orion Marine Group, and we thank the Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas General Land Office as well as our local, state and federal elected officials for their leadership during this tragic incident.”

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