US Coast Guard Observes Damage of Houston Ship Channel Collision

Part of the Houston Ship Channel was shut after two ships collided near Morgan’s Point, Texas, on Monday, March 9. Danish chemical tanker Carla Maersk collided with Liberian bulk carrier Conti Peridot, causing a leak of gasoline additive Methyl tertiary-butyl ether, or MTBE. Morgan’s Point residents were told to remain indoors and keep the windows shut until the order was lifted at 10 p.m., according to KPRC 2.

NBC reported that the US Coast Guard said three tanks on Carla Maersk were damaged and the amount of flammable liquid spilled remained unknown.

This video shows a US Coast Guard crew observing damage from a helicopter on March 10. Credit: Petty Officer 3rd Class Dustin Williams via US Coast Guard