One Dead After Supply Boat Capsizes on Neches River

Last Friday, a 41-foot supply boat overturned on the Neches River south of Port Neches. The incident killed one of the three passengers who were on the boat when it capsized. According to reports, the victim and two other workers from Carlsen’s Mooring Service were bringing cleaning supplies to a ship offshore.

Carlsen’s Mooring Service is a company that supplies Port Arthur refineries and all nearby docks. The company describes itself as providing a “range of marine labor supplying stores and equipment deliveries to all Port Arthur area docks by barge and push boats."

Details About the Neches River Boat Accident

According to the Jefferson County Sherriff's office, the supply boat took on water at its starboard side when it encountered the wake of another vessel. Officials believe that the water could have caused the cargo to shift, causing the capsizing. The crew of the San Kennedy, a nearby tugboat, helped pull the three workers from the water after a sheriff’s helicopter located the overturned boat. One of them was unresponsive and was taken by Acadian EMS to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Officials were waiting for the man’s family to be notified of his passing before revealing his identity. He was eventually identified as a 29-year-old Baytown man who worked for Carlsen’s Mooring Service. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is leading an investigation into the incident.