The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(HOUSTON) — The Coast Guard and Pasadena Fire and Rescue crews responded to an anhydrous ammonia leak on the Houston Ship Channel west of the Beltway 8 bridge Friday, temporarily ordering a shelter in place and closing the Beltway 8 bridge, Interstate 610 bridge and the Houston Ship Channel.
Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector Houston/Galveston were notified at about 9:45 p.m., shortly after the incident occurred, and immediately contacted the Pasadena Fire and Rescue hazmat team to respond. A precautionary shelter in place was issued to residents as well as putting the closures in place.
The hazmat team arrived and was able to determine the leak of an unknown quantity was minor and the shelter in place could be lifted at 11:23 p.m.
Four crewmembers aboard the tug Trigger were exposed to the anhydrous ammonia and were taken by EMS to a local hospital for care. The tug was conducting bunkering operations to refuel the motor vessel Sombeke, which was transferring the anhydrous ammonia.
It was reported that the Sombeke was in the initial cool-down phase, preparing to transfer at the Houston Ammonia Terminal, when a gasket blew and an unknown amount of the anhydrous ammonia was released.
The Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service ensured that traffic didn't enter the potentially contaminated area during the closure and a Safety Marine Information Broadcast was broadcast to mariners.
Coast Guard investigators are responding to the scene to determine the cause of the incident.
