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Buffalo 286

The single-hulled barge Buffalo 286 suffered a major structural failure on May 26, 1996,
and discharged approximately 1,000 barrels of IFO 380 from damaged tanks into Galveston
Bay, Texas.  The #3 port and starboard wing tanks were damaged with 5,000 barrels of
product divided equally between them.  The barge carried 16,000 barrels of product.
Weather onscene was southeast winds at 15 knots.

Protective booming was in place at the Houston Yacht Club, Little Cedar Bayou, parts of
Atkinson Island, and sensitive areas along the shoreline between Morgans Point and Eagle
Point in accordance with the Area Committee Plan.


The USCG directed the towing vessel to transit into the Bayport Ship Channel and position
on the north bank to minimize the extent of oil impact.  On May 27 the barge was against
the north side of the channel.