A double-hulled tanker owned and operated by Conoco Inc. collided with a tug-and-barge flotilla on the Calcasieu River near Lake Charles, La., Oct. 31.
Despite sustaining a 100 ft by 4 ft gash in the accident, the tanker did not spill any of its 550,000 bbl cargo of crude oil. The outer hull was severely damaged while the vessel was entering the Port of Lake Charles. "At the time of the accident, a harbor pilot was aboard the Guardian, which was being assisted by two tugs," said Conoco.
The U.S. Coast Guard credits the design of the Guardian-an 800 ft vessel-with preventing a major oil spill. "Instead," said Conoco, "the tanker safely discharged its cargo at Conoco's Clifton Ridge terminal and sailed to a Mobile, Ala., facility for repairs."
The photo at left shows the vessel after its arrival at the Mobile Bender Shipyard for repairs. Conoco expects to return the ship to service near the end of November.
The Guardian has been in service since 1992. Conoco owns and operates five double-hulled tankers and two single-hulled units. It plans to take the single-hulled vessels out of service in the next few years.
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