A drillship owned by drilling contractor Valaris has collided with another vessel in the US, with both units said to have sustained damage, according to the US Coast Guard.
The US Coast Guard said it is responding to a collision that occurred between two vessels Saturday morning near the VT Halter Shipyards and Chevron docks in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
The drillship in question is understood to be Valaris DS-16, the former Resolute, which was in Pascagoula ahead of a two-year Gulf of Mexico drilling campaign for Occidental, which is scheduled to start in May.
At approximately 1:30am local time, Coast Guard Sector Mobile watch-standers received a report from the National Response Center of a collision between two vessels. A 752-foot Valaris drillship reportedly broke free of its moorings due to high winds and collided with the Akti, a bulk carrier ship, said the US Coast Guard.
“The Valaris [drillship] is reported to have approximately 580,000 gallons of diesel onboard the vessel. The drillship is currently still up against the Akti and is anchored while being held in place by three tug vessels. Both vessels reportedly have minor damage, with some damage to the pier,” added the US Coast Guard.
Coast Guard Sector Mobile has sent three prevention team members to monitor the situation. There have been no reports of injuries or pollution at this time.
The channel was previously closed due to weather but will remain closed until the vessels are separated.
For more information visit www.valaris.com
