The following is the text of two press releases issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(CLIFTON, W.V.) — Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Huntington is responding to a coal barge that is partially submerged at mile marker 252.4 on the Ohio River that is blocking the navigable channel.
At approximately 6:30 am, the towing vessel Darin Adrian was headed downbound on the Ohio River when it struck the “ice piers” that are located just down river from the Pomeroy Mason Bridge near Clifton, W. Va. As a result of the allision, two barges were damaged, with one of the damaged barges finally sinking at mile marker 252.4.
Due to the location of the sunken barge in the navigational channel, a Captain of the Port order was issued that closed a portion of the Ohio River from mile marker 251 to 253.
The Coast Guard is actively working with involved industry to quickly and safely remove the barge and reopen the Ohio River to vessel traffic. The Coast Guard is also conducting a marine casualty investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
(CLIFTON, W.V.) — The Coast Guard Captain of the Port, in coordination with involved industry, has opened the Ohio River to one way traffic pushing dry cargo during daylight hours only.
The Coast Guard is continuing to work with involved industry to quickly and safely remove the barge from the Ohio River. The Coast Guard is also continuing its marine casualty investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
