GALVESTON, Texas – A Unified Command and Joint Information Center have been established in Galveston on Wednesday to coordinate response and disseminate information for the Pelican Island Bridge Allision on Wednesday morning.
At approximately 10 a.m. Wednesday, the barge MMLP 321, owned by Martin Marine, allided with the Pelican Island Causeway due to a break in the coupling.
There were no reports of injuries or any people in the water.
Due to the allision, one of the cargo tanks was compromised causing vacuum gas oil to spill into the water, the amount is still being determined, but the source has been contained. Boom has been deployed and additional oil spill assets are responding to the incident. A Coast Guard Air Station Houston overflight as well as drones are being deployed this morning to evaluate the extent of the oil spill.
The damaged bridge which is under the jurisdiction of Galveston County Navigational District 1 (GCND1) is being assessed by GCND1 with the assistance of the Texas Department of Transportation.
The bridge is open to car traffic leaving Pelican Island and pedestrian traffic both ways. The condition of the bridge could change throughout the day as the damage is evaluated. Pedestrian traffic entering the island is only open to residents, employees, and students of Texas A&M.
At approximately 10:30 p.m. yesterday, Texas A&M students, faculty, and non-essential personnel were relocated from the island. Texas A&M students and employees are advised to follow the University's instructions for the incident.
The Pelican Island Bridge Allision Response Unified Command includes the:
U.S. Coast Guard
Texas General Land Office
Martin Marine
Additional Supporting Agencies:
Texas A&M University Galveston Campus
Texas Department of Transportation
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
NOAA
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Port of Houston Authority
E3 OMI
T & T Marine
The City of Galveston
Galveston County Office of Emergency Management
Texas City Office of Emergency Management
A website with incident response information updates can be found at the following URL: www.pelicanislandbridgeallision.com
The media is requested to email inquiries@pelicanislandbridgeallision.com or call the Joint Information Center at 409-300-3521 for response to inquiries and interviews.
The Unified Command’s operational priorities are ensuring the safety of the public and first responders, protecting the environment, incident stabilization, and safely restoring transportation infrastructure and commerce.
For vessel traffic information refer to marine safety information broadcasts posted on Pages - My Homeport Content (uscg.mil).
For any reports of pollution please contact the Wildlife Hotline at 832-514-9663.
A claims phone line has been established at 281-350-9996.
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