Houston Towboat Crew Extinguishes Push Boat Galley Fire in Houston Ship Channel

The U.S. Coast Guard recognized the crew of a Houston towboat for meritorious service after they extinguished a galley fire on a push boat. The push boat Sara K was in the upper Houston ship channel when a grease fire broke out on May 24. Upon overhearing a radio distress call from the Sara K, the crew of the nearby towing vessel San Rafael decided to respond.

By the time the San Rafael crew arrived, Sara K's crew had already abandoned ship. The widespread blaze had the potential to spread to a nearby double-ended fuel barge and trigger more explosions, so the San Rafael crew decided to fight the fire. The four-man crew had the fire put out in less than an hour, and the Coast Guard presented the crew with an award for public service. The crew was honored for their "unusual courage and outstanding contributions to navigational safety."

The San Rafael is owned and operated by Buffalo Marine Services Inc. of Houston and did not have a barge attached on this particular occasion. Members of the crew are put at high risk when fires are started on offshore rigs. Fires that occur aboard a ship or an oil platform can result in explosions and catastrophic injuries as serious as death. If you have been injured in an offshore accident involving explosions & fires, you may be entitled to seek compensation. Hiring a Louisiana offshore injury attorney can ensure that you receive the monetary compensation that you need for medical costs, lost wages and more. Contact a Louisiana maritime attorney at Arnold & Itkin LLP today for your free consultation.