USCG issued Safety Alert highlighting the critical importance of preventing water intrusion into fuel tanks. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) investigated a marine casualty that occurred in the Corpus Christi Shipping Channel, involving a towing vessel constructed in 2011 with a low freeboard. While pushing a barge loaded with methanol, the vessel encountered sea state conditions with 4-foot wave heights and sustained winds of 35 knots. These conditions caused water to fill the fixed containment area beneath the vessel’s fuel tank vent pipes, resulting in water flowing into the fuel tanks and loss of propulsion as the vessel approached the dock.

As the vessel made its approach to an oil dock, both engines lost power. The Captain subsequently managed to drift the vessel into a nearby bank and called for assistance. Two vessels responded and successfully assisted the tow to the oil dock. Upon investigation it was discovered that the towing vessel’s starboard bunkering station containment had completely flooded with seawater, submerging the vent piping and allowing water to backflow into the fuel tank.

The USCG strongly recommends that owners and operators, vessel crew members, marine surveyors, and USCG marine inspectors review this information and, where appropriate, incorporate it into onboard operations, training, and awareness.