Port Aransas Ferry passengers got quite the scare Monday when a large LNG tanker came a little too close for comfort as they were being loaded.
Video posted online shows the tanker blow its horn as passengers scurry off the ferry seemingly under the direction of the ferry’s crew.
The incident took place Monday morning as passengers were loading onto the ferry just after 9 a.m.
The tanker appears to be the Liberia-flagged Kinisis, a 295-meter LNG carrier that was inbound from Korea, according to AIS data.
The ship appears to be the Liberia-flagged Kinisis, a 295-meter LNG carrier that was inbound from Korea.
From the video, it’s unclear just how close the tanker came to hitting the ferry. Texas’s 3News was able to obtain a statement Cheniere, who indicated there was never any real danger of a collision. The statement is below:
“We take concerns from the community and the safe navigation of all vessels very seriously. We were aware of what happened and we understand the concern. What we learned from the pilots in control of the vessel is that – while operating in coordination with the Coast Guard and the Port Authority – the vessel took a wider turn than usual at Harbor Island due to the placement of another vessel in the channel. The vessel was always in control. Here are additional facts: three escort tugs were assisting with the safe navigation and maneuvering through the waterway, the vessel horn was signaled as a precaution, and communication was ongoing between the pilots and applicable parties. If members of the community have additional questions we will assist in directing the questions to the responsible pilot or Port contacts. Please contact [email protected] or call (888) 371-3607.”