​​​​​​On May 15, 2024, about 0947 local time, the towing vessel LCPL Phillip C George was departing the Texas International Terminal, in Galveston, Texas, pushing two loaded tank barges, when the port quarter of the LCPL Phillip C George struck a terminal dolphin and one of the barges, MMLP 321, separated from the tow and contacted a power transmission pole and the Pelican Island Bridge in the Galveston Channel. There were no injuries, and about 20,000 gallons of vacuum gas oil was released into the waterway. Damage to the MMLP 321 and the Pelican Island Bridge, salvage operations, the value of the lost cargo, and the cost of the oil spill response was estimated at $8.4 million.

​We determined that the probable cause of the contact of the LCPL Phillip C George tow with a terminal dolphin, a power transmission pole, and the Pelican Island Bridge was the captain not being able to overcome the effect of the tidal current, which was stronger than predicted, as the strung-out tow exited the protection of the terminal breakwater and entered the channel.