More Than 100 Ships Waiting On Cleanup Of Texas Oil Spill

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — Maritime traffic continues to back up after an oil spill that has closed the Houston Ship Channel and left more than 100 vessels waiting to enter or leave.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Andy Kendrick says cleanup continues Tuesday toward reopening the waterway, saving animals affected by the oil and anticipating where the oil flow might go.

He had no immediate timetable for when the ship channel, which closed after Saturday's collision between an oil-hauling barge and a ship, would reopen. Kendrick says 54 ships waited to enter the channel and 48 were ready to leave Tuesday. Five additional ships waited to enter the nearby Port of Galveston.

Kendrick says 10 birds have died as a result of the oil spill. Four animal rehabilitation facilities are set up in the area.

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