Tanker Aframax River Hits Mooring, 88,000 Gallons Of Oil Burn

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On July 21, 2017 the International Maritime Organization awarded Captain Michael C. McGee and Captain Michael C. Phillips, members of the Houston Pilots, as the recipients of the 2017 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea. Amusingly, in a post-accident interview with the US Coast Guard, the second pilot, who had been coordinating the firefighting effort, told investigators, “The harbor tugs, the guys on the boats . . . deserve a medal of meritorious service or whatever might be available. They did an outstanding job.”

Okay, you get it. Everyone did a good job. Now here is what happened.

On September 6, 2016 shortly after midnight, Captain McGee and Captain Phillips were scheduled to pilot the 810-foot-long tanker Aframax River at the Houston Ship Channel. While underway, the vessel experienced a mechanical failure and consequent loss of control, which caused the ship to strike two mooring dolphins (otherwise known as “moorings” — I’m not talking about cetaceans). As a result, a fuel tank ruptured causing a spill of 88,000 gallons diesel fuel that quickly ignited.

The flames, on and around the ship, reached over 200 feet in height, and the raging fire quickly spread across the channel, threatening other tankers and nearby petrochemical facilities.

Despite the imminent danger, both pilots remained at their stations on the bridge of the ship. Captain McGee managed to maneuver the stricken ship away from surrounding ships and facilities while Captain Phillips coordinated communications and firefighting efforts with the United States Coast Guard and numerous local fireboats. Captain Phillips at one point also had to drop the radios and charge a fire hose to fight and extinguish a fire raging on the port bridge wing.

The fire was extinguished after 90 minutes, after which Captain McGee, using assist tugs, was then able to bring the damaged tanker safely to a mooring facility. Good work.