Tankers Collide, But No Oil Spilled

Two Norwegian oil tankers collided Sunday in the Gulf of Mexico, spilling about 8,400 gallons of fuel, but no oil, the Coast Guard said.

Nobody was hurt.

The collision occurred when the 1,135-foot Berge Banker was transferring crude oil to the 815-foot Skaubay, said Lt. Emile Benard of the Coast Guard’s Galveston office. The collision damaged both vessels.

Fuel spilled from the larger tanker about 55 miles southeast of the entrance to the Houston Ship Channel, Benard said. Most of it will probably dissipate before reaching land, he said

A private skimming ship was helping with containment and cleanup.