Ship Involved in Texas Oil Spill Allegedly Speeding

A federal court filing alleges a ship was speeding before a March 22 collision with a barge that led to a Texas oil spill.

The U.S. Coast Guard says cleanup is wrapping up from the Houston Ship Channel accident that dumped nearly 170,000 gallons of oil from a barge.

The Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday that the owner of the barge alleges the Liberian bulk carrier was speeding in Galveston Bay despite fog. Houston-based Kirby Inland Marine also maintains the ship did not take evasive action and proved itself “dangerous” and “unseaworthy.”

Kirby seeks more than $10 million from Sea Galaxy Marine, the owner of the bulk carrier.

Kirby responded to a “limitation of liability” filed by Sea Galaxy, which says the ship owner bears no responsibility for the accident.