Last ditch efforts failed to prevent Port Arthur collision

Desperate attempts, including pulling an emergency stop and dropping an anchor at full speed, could not prevent the worst Texas oil spill in 15 years.

In ongoing testimony relating to the collision at Port Arthur on January 23, witnesses from both the 800 foot tanker Eagle Otome and the tugboat Dixie Vengeance have testified into the events causing the collision between both vessels resulting in 462 thousand gallons of oil spilling into the Sabine Netches Waterway.

At a Coast Guard hearing, pilots and captains from both vessels gave accounts of how the Eagle Otome was unable to maintain control in the strong winds and poor visibility in the narrow channel. As the tanker moved dangerously into the path of the tug in the westbound passing lane, the possibility of a collision became apparent.

Recordings indicate that both vessels were in calm radio contact with each other for a considerable length of time as they made approach and worked together to provide passing arrangements. Until just before the collision, neither side appeared to be concerned about passing safely.

When the emergency stop and letting go the anchor failed to prevent impact, the resulting spill caused damage to wildlife over a nine mile stretch and temporary closure of the waterway.

The public hearing is scheduled to last 10 days.

Source: Associated Press