GALVESTON, Texas — Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Galveston is responding to the grounding of an 800-foot tank ship 22 miles off the coast of Galveston, which occurred Friday, Feb. 20, 2009. The tank ship Yasa Golden Dardanelles, ran aground on the north side of the Galveston safety fairway, which leads to the Houston Ship Channel. The tank ship is not discharging oil nor is it impeding other vessel traffic.
The Yasa Golden Dardanelles reports having approximately 620,000 barrels of fuel oil on board.
Coast Guard personnel conducted a preliminary investigation of the grounding late Friday night. An over flight conducted by an Air Station Houston MH-65 helicopter crew early this morning did not find any signs of pollution from the ship.
Coast Guard personnel are working closely with the ship’s owner, Texas General Land Office, United States Mineral Management Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, and Titan Salvage, the appointed salvage company, to devise a plan to minimize environmental impact and free the tank ship at the earliest opportunity.
