Coast Guard responds to offshore drilling unit, tanker collision in Gulf of Mexico
The Coast Guard is responding to a collision between a mobile offshore drilling unit and a tanker vessel , near Port Aransas.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi received a report that the Rowan EXL-1, a mobile offshore drilling unit, and the 750-foot tanker vessel FR8 Pride had collided in the Aransas Channel, near buoy 3.
The FR8 Pride was heading inbound in the Aransas Pass Channel when it reportedly lost propulsion and drifted into the Rowan EXL-1.
The mobile drill rig suffered significant damage, resulting in a minor hydraulic oil leak from a damaged crane, however, the crew was able to move it offshore and stabilize it by deploying its legs.
The crew of the tanker reported flooding in a forward ballast space, but they were able to control the flooding and grounded the FR8 Pride two miles offshore.
The Coast Guard has currently deployed teams of offshore vessel inspectors, port state control examiners, marine casualty investigators and pollution responders.
The Aransas Pass Channel remains open to traffic.
There were no reports of injuries or significant pollution.
The Coast Guard is currently investigating the cause of the incident.