HOUSTON — Marine salvage contractors have have suspended operations for the removal of damaged containers aboard the motor vessel Elka Apollon, a 799-foot chemical tanker, Thursday.
Removal of damaged containers aboard the motor vessel Nederland, a 782-foot container ship, were completed Wednesday and salvage experts had planned on removing the remaining containers aboard the Elka Apollon Thursday, but due to high winds operations were put on standby.
"The Coast Guards number one priority is the safety of the responders during a response," said Capt. Hal Pitts, deputy commander of Sector Houston-Galveston. "We take multiple factors into account when we perform operations, including weather conditions."
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston received a report at approximately 9:47 a.m., Saturday, that the Nederland and Elka Apollon collided near the Bayport Ship Channel and Houston Ship Channel intersection.
Three containers fell from the Nederland onto the deck of the Elka Apollon. One of the containers, containing tractor equipment, leaked a small amount of hydraulic fluid onto the deck.
The ship channels are still open to traffic.
There were no reported injuries and the Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.
For the initial press release click here.