Knutsen tanker agound off Houston

(July 16 2010)

The US Coast Guard (USCG) was continuing its attempt to free a tanker that ran aground at the intersection of the Houston Ship Channel and the intracoastal waterway on Thursday.
The 22,100 dwt chemical tanker ‘Isabel Knutsen’ became stuck at about 6 am local time Tuesday after losing its steering control, USCG officials said.
Tugs were unable to free the vessel, which was loaded with about 17,000 tonnes of chemicals and 700 tonnes of fuel oil.

USCG officials said a lightering operation would now take place to remove enough of the cargo to enable the vessel to float free.
The ship is structurally sound and is not discharging any liquids into the water, USCG said.
The refloating operation was not causing interruption to other ships using the channel, officials said.

Cmdr Jim Elliott, commanding officer of USCG’s marine safety unit Galveston, said in a statement. “Attempts to refloat the vessel have been unsuccessful. We will now oversee the lightering of the ship’s cargo to refloat the vessel, ensure the safety of the crew and prevent any environmental impacts.”
“The Coast Guard and Texas General Land Office will oversee the process,” Elliott said.

Source: Tanker Operator