Barge takes on water after collision near Cape Cod Canal

The following is the text of a press release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(BOSTON) — The Coast Guard is responding to an allision between a tug and barge taking on water near the Cape Cod Canal Wednesday.

At 11:28 p.m. Tuesday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England were notified from the crew of the 112-foot tug Doris Morian, homeported in Wilmington, Del., that they had reportedly lost power while towing the 410-foot barge Alexander and the two allided.

The Doris Morian crew was able to tow the Alexander outside of the Canal into Buzzards Bay to an anchorage approximately two miles east of West Island.

The barge is taking on approximately five-feet of water and pumps are keeping up with the water.

The barge is carrying cement and was enroute to New York.

There has been no reported impact to the environment. There have been no reported injuries. Cape Cod Canal vessel traffic has not been affected.

Responding are crews from:

• Coast Guard Station Woods Hole, Mass.

• New Bedford, Mass., Fire Department

• Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

• Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

• National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration 

The incident is under investigation.

By Professional Mariner Staff