The Coast Guard and agency partners have formed a Unified Command in response to an oil spill in the Port of Port Arthur, on Jan. 23. Vessel Traffic Service Port Arthur received notification at 9:30 a.m. reporting a collision between the towing vessel Dixie Vengeance and the two barges it was pushing, and the 807-ft tank ship Eagle Otome. As a result of the collision, the Eagle Otome sustained damage in the vicinity of the number one starboard tank, which was reported to be loaded with crude oil. The initial estimate of spilled oil is 450,000 gallons. The Sabine Neches Waterway is closed to all vessel traffic along the City of Port Arthur's river front from Intracoastal Waterway mile marker 276 to mile marker 289. The Coast Guard has established a perimeter around the vessels in the vicinity of the reported spill to ensure the safety of the vessels involved as well as the safety of the responders. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
