WGMA Maritime Association has just issued the following statement:
The US Coast Guard MSU Port Arthur’s Vessel Traffic Service held a Port Coordination Team conference call today at 1300 hours in order to address traffic concerns due to a channel closure resulting from an early morning collision inside the Sabine Jetties.
Your Maritime Affairs team participated on the call and has the following report:
The USCG Captain of the Port advised:
The salvage team is trying to remove the OSV from the waterway ASAP in order to fully open the channel later this afternoon.
If the OSV cannot be safely removed today, the USCG plan to open the channel for one-way traffic. This will be a last resort decision because it is preferable to remove the damaged vessel, so that wakes do not cause additional problems with it.
The weather forecast is good through Monday, so that does not appear to be a factor.
Sabine Pilots reported:
The US Army Corps of Engineers will have survey assets in the area on Saturday morning in order to confirm there are no obstructions or shoaling in the area resulting from this situation.
If the OSV cannot be removed today there will be another PCT conference call tomorrow to update on the situation.
If you have any questions, please contact the local office at:
Email: iss.beaumont@iss-shipping.com
Phone: +1 409 7270588