PORT ARTHUR, Texas – The Coast Guard has established a safety zone on the Neches River after a towing vessel capsized near Port Arthur, Friday.
The safety zone is in place between mile markers 276 to 289.
The Coast Guard received notice, at approximately 6:45 p.m., the towing vessel Louise capsized in the Neches River near mile marker 284. The four crewmembers aboard the Louise were rescued by a Good Samaritan tug boat operator, with no reported injuries.
Currently there is a minimal sheen reported on scene; however the Louise has the potential to release 6,000 gallons of fuel oil, 70 gallons of lubricant oil, and 30 gallons of hydraulic fluid.
Coast Guard personnel are on scene assessing the damage and impacts to the waterway.
A salvage company has been hired to remove the vessel from the waterway to minimize the impact to commercial traffic. The Coast Guard requests that all mariners avoid the area until further notice.
The incident is under investigation.