Barges removed from lock and dam after breakaway (UPDATE)

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

(NEW ORLEANS) — The two barges that were pinned to the Racine Lock and Dam after a barge break away were removed on Sunday.  

At approximately noon the motor vessel M.K. McNally towed the two barges from the dam and placed them in the auxiliary lock chamber for an initial survey prior to being towed by the motor vessel Alabama to Amherst Madison facility in Henderson, W.Va.

On Saturday, the motor vessel Austin C. Settoon was dewatered after being recovered and transferred from Racine Locks to Amherst Madison facility by the motor vessel Alabama.

The unified command consists of the Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and the responsible party, Settoon Towing Co.

The Coast Guard received a report that the motor vessel Austin C. Settoon, pushing three barges loaded with approximately 3,780,000 gallons of natural gas condensate, allided with the lock wall at approximately 5:30 a.m., Thursday. Two barges, along with the towing vessel, subsequently broke away to rest along the dam. The third barge was retained within the lock chamber.

There have been no reports of injuries or pollution.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

PREVIOUS REPORT

(NEW ORLEANS) — The motor vessel Austin C. Settoon was removed from the Racine Lock and Dam on Saturday.  

Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley received a report at 1:24 p.m. that Austin C. Settoon was disengaged from the structure and was towed by the motor vessel Alabama. It was then moored to the auxiliary lock chamber at the Racine Locks.

Two barges remain pinned against gates 7 and 8 of the dam and are stable.

The unified command consists of the Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Mason County Emergency Management, and the responsible party, Settoon Towing Co.

Watch standers at Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley received a report that UTV Austin C. Settoon, pushing three barges loaded with approximately 3,780,000 gallons of natural gas condensate, allided with the lock wall at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Thursday. The barges subsequently broke away.

There have been no reports of injuries or pollution.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

PREVIOUS REPORT

(NEW ORLEANS) — Racine Lock and Dam is open to vessel traffic after a barge was removed from the lock and dam on Thursday. 

Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley received a report at approximately 9 p.m. that the uninspected towing vessel Capt. Ed Harris removed the barge from the locking channel and took it to a nearby fleeting area. 

The remaining two barges are pinned against gates 7 and 8 of the dam, with UTV Austin C. Settoon pinned against gates 6 and 7.

Members of Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Huntington are on scene to conduct a marine casualty investigation.

A unified command has been established, which consists of the Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers and the responsible party, Settoon Towing Co.

Watch standers at Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley received a report that UTV Austin C. Settoon, pushing three barges loaded with approximately 3,780,000 gallons of natural gas condensate, allided with the lock wall at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Thursday. The barges subsequently broke away.

There have been no reports of injuries or pollution.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

PREVIOUS REPORT

(NEW ORLEANS) (March 2) — The Coast Guard is responding to a report of a barge breakaway at the Racine Lock and Dam on the Ohio River near Huntington, W.Va., on Thursday.

Watch standers at Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley received a report that UTV Austin C. Settoon, pushing three barges loaded with approximately 3,780,000 gallons of natural gas condensate, allided with the lock wall at approximately 5:30 a.m. The barges subsequently broke away.

One barge is contained in the lock while the remaining two barges are pinned against gates 7 and 8 of the dam, with the towboat pinned against gates 6 and 7.

The Racine Lock and Dam is closed, creating a queue of 13 upbound vessels and 11 downbound vessels.

Members of Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Huntington are on scene to conduct a marine casualty investigation.

A unified command has been established, which consists of the Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers and the responsible party, Settoon Towing Co.

The Coast Guard has issued a safety marine information broadcast via Channel 16.

There have been no reports of injuries or pollution.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

By Professional Mariner Staff