A US tug ran aground after being involving a collision with a Saudi Arabian VLCC off Texas.
The US Coast Guard (USCG) responded to the incident that left the 6,772-hp tug Mark E Keubler (built 2018) stuck off the port of Corpus Christi on Monday.
The other vessel involved was Saudi shipowner Bahri's 319,000-dwt tanker Nisalah (built 2010), which remained moored in the port on Tuesday morning.
Corpus Christi USCG command centre watchstanders received a call at 4 pm local time (9 pm GMT) from the agent of tug owner G&H Towing stating that the vessel had run aground outside the channel near the South Texas Gateway refinery.
The USCG issued a safety marine information broadcast and directed the launch of a Coast Guard Station Port Aransas 45-foot response boat and crew to assist with the salvage.
Once on scene, the USCG personnel began a de-watering operation, the USCG said.
The USCG erroneously identified the Nisalah as a bulker in its report.
“Before running aground there was reportedly a collision between the tug boat Mark E Keubler and the bulk carrier Nisalah. Responders did not observe any signs of pollution and there were no reported injuries,” the US Coast Guard said.
The Coast Guard moved pollution responders to the scene to monitor the salvage operations.
The Nisalah has insurance cover from the Gard club in Norway.
The VLCC has been inspected by port state control officials 12 times but never detained.
Bahri Ship Management has been contacted for further information.
