Osg-Independence

T&T Salvage responded to the disabled 700-foot long integrated tug "OSG Independence" and its barge which had become separated due to heavy seas on the afternoon of Apr 29, 2017, three nautical miles off the Galveston Island Pleasure Pier. In an attempt to prevent the barge from drifting closer to shore, crew members quickly deployed the barge’s anchoring system; however, the sea conditions prohibited the anchor from holding. Additionally, during attempts to prevent the barge from going ashore, one of the propellers of the tug became fouled with the tow wire. The vessel’s response plan was quickly activated and T&T Salvage was called upon to render assistance. T&T’s response partner, G&H Towing, mobilized three tugs to the scene to gain control of the adrift barge and began towing it away from Galveston Beach. T&T’s supply vessel "Holt T" was dispatched soon after to transport a salvage team and additional salvage gear to offer further assistance to the disabled vessels. With severe weather ahead, the vessel crew and salvage team were challenged with seas upwards of 12ft and 40+ knot winds. Divers conducted an underwater assessment and survey and were able to identify that not only had the starboard prop been fouled by the tow wire, but rope was also bound tightly around the port wheel. In close coordination with Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Texas City and the vessel’s owner, T&T immediately developed a salvage plan to free the propellers from the lines and deliver the tug and barge safely into port. The operation was successfully concluded on May 1.

US Coast Guard response and incident management teams are coordinating with G & H Towing and T & T Marine Salvage to prevent the disabled "OSG Independence" and the barge "OSG 243" from running aground on Galveston Island on Apr 29, 2017. At 2:19 p.m., an agent for the integrated tug and its barge contacted Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders to report that the tug had separated from the barge in heavy seas off the Galveston Island Pleasure Pier, while dragging both anchors. They worked to connect the emergency tow line, which went under the tug and fouled their starboard propeller. Marine Safety Unit Texas City incident management personnel and the Galveston Police Department were on scene at approximately 3:15 p.m. to monitor the situation and provide public safety on shore. A Station Galveston boat crew provided on scene visibility as well as an Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew. Shortly after the incident occurred, the crew activated their vessel response plan, which guided response efforts. The tug "Thor" arrived on scene at around 4 p.m. and began providing assistance. The "Thor"’s crew gained control of the adrift barge at 8:45 p.m. and began towing them away from shore. Efforts to assist the "OSG Independence" were joined by the tugs "Deacon", "Captain" and the "Holt T". There wer eno injuries to the crew of six aboard the tug and two people aboard the barge. No pollution has been reported. The barge was empty of cargo. It was previously carrying gasoline and the cargo tanks were filled with inert gas to neutralize danger from residual fumes. The seas were reported to be six to eight feet at the time of the incident and are expected to reach up to 12 feet with 40 knot winds. Video: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/521734/tug-boats-assist-adrift-barge-off-galveston