Posted by: John Rudzki
on Jan 23, 2010
The Port of Port Arthur and some nearby residents are evacuated after the collision of 3 vessels.
Emergency workers at the port originally called for an evacuation of the vessel "Eagle Otome" after a 3-vessel collision around 10 a.m. A possible gas leak on the ship was reported. Coast Guard and fire crews responded and assessed the situation. The decision was made to evacuate the entire port and some of the surrounding area.
Port Arthur Mayor Deloris Prince at 11:30 a.m. said the city is evacuating residents from the Ship Channel to 7th Street and from Houston Avenue to Beaumont Avenue. The mayor says the city is providing free transportation to a shelter set up at the Recreation Center located at 1308 9th Avenue. Anyone needing a ride to the evacuation site should call 409-983-8154. The mayor said the city is strongly urging people to stay away from the port area.
Port Arthur Councilman John Beard says there is a strong gas odor on the west side of the city near the port.
"We will evaluate the situation once we get an eye view," said Jefferson County Emergency Management Coordinator Greg Fountain.
He went on to say agencies are still trying to find out what needs to be done and how best to use the available resources to respond.
"(We will) try to lend assistance to city of Port Arthur Emergency Management officials and the Coast Guard," said Fountain.
According to a worker who had to be evacuated this morning, the ship "Gull Arrow Nassau" was coming into the port when it lost power. It kept moving without power until it collided with the ship "Eagle Otome" as it was in the process of refueling from a barge. All three vessels collided. Police and fire officials could not yet verify that this is how the accident happened.
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Renee Aiello tells The Associated Press that it was unclear how much oil was spilled when the 600-foot tanker carrying oil collided with a towing vessel pushing a loaded barge Saturday morning.
She says that the collision left a 15-by-8-foot hole in the tanker. The towing vessel then ricocheted and hit another tanker, which was tied to the pier. She did not know what damage was caused to that vessel.
Some of the oil in the damaged tanker has been moved to another holding tank on the ship according to Petty Officer Aiello.
Officials say the Sabine-Neches Ship Channel is closed until further notice.
Luckily, no injuries were reported.
Posted by: John Rudzki
on Jan 14, 2010
Ms. Denise Sockwell from the Humane Society of Southeast Texas joins Tom Clay and Jana Stone on Southeast Texas First News each Thursday morning on the all NEW AM 1300 KSET. She'll bring one of our animal friends to talk about. Cat or dog, we'll post their picture on our Facebook page. If you are interested in any of the animals at the Humane Sciety, call 409-722-0605 or 409-833-0504. The Humane Society is located at 2050 Spindletop Rd in Beaumont.
