The supply vessel International Carrier ran aground in the Gulf of Mexico off privately owned San Jose Island with 10,000 gallons of diesel aboard earlier this year. General Land Office Senior Response Officer (SRO) James Duenes and U.S. Coast Guard - Sector Corpus Christi Chief Creager responded to the grounding aboard the GLO’s 25-foot response boat. Upon arrival at San Jose Island, SRO Duenes discovered that the International Carrier was still afloat and had lost steering due to an air compressor failure.

The crew wanted refused to leave the vessel and chose to stay put. SRO Duenes and Chief Creager then contacted the owners of the vessel to discuss options for a salvage plan. The next day, a MAMMOET salvage representative arrived at the site and discussed options with the GLO and USCG. Once the salvage plan was approved, the vessel was rigged with tow lines to a tow boat and salvage operations commenced. The GLO and USCG monitored salvage operations along with the San Jose Island manager.

After 12 hours of salvage operations and the arrival of a high tide, the vessel was freed and pulled into deeper water. The vessel was towed to Ingleside for damage assessment and repairs. (Spill-international, Edited by Topco)