10 barges break free on Ohio River; three pinned at dam

10 barges break free on Ohio River; three pinned at dam

(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) — Emergency teams worked to secure 10 barges that broke loose from a towboat Tuesday on the Ohio River in Louisville, Ky., including a barge carrying 1,400 metric tons of methanol that is partially submerged, NPR reported. "There is currently zero evidence of a tank breach or any leaks, and air and water monitoring resources are in place,"…
Read More
NTSB: Incorrect estimate of crane height led to bridge strike

NTSB: Incorrect estimate of crane height led to bridge strike

(WASHINGTON) — An incorrect estimate of a crane’s boom height led to contact with the Houma Twin Span Bridge last year in Houma, La., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday. On March 6, 2022, the towing vessel Robert Cenac was transiting the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, pushing the crane barge Mr. Dawg and another deck barge. While attempting to…
Read More
Deteriorated bollard led to breakaway and allision, NTSB says

Deteriorated bollard led to breakaway and allision, NTSB says

(WASHINGTON) — A deteriorated bollard led to a mobile offshore drilling unit breaking away and striking a cargo vessel in Pascagoula, Miss., last year, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined. The breakaway resulted in nearly $5 million in damage. On March 12, 2022, the mobile offshore drilling unit Valardis DS-16 was at the ST Engineering Halter Marine and…
Read More
Salvage crews recover submerged tugboat in Juneau

Salvage crews recover submerged tugboat in Juneau

(JUNEAU, Alaska) – Recovery of the tugboat Tagish was completed Sunday and the vessel was secured on the beach at the National Guard Dock in Gastineau Channel. Contractors dewatered and defueled the 107-foot tugboat prior to dismantling and placing it on a barge, in pieces, for its final disposal out of state. The Coast Guard’s mission during this recovery was…
Read More
Towboat pilot never reported hitting Louisiana bridge, NTSB says

Towboat pilot never reported hitting Louisiana bridge, NTSB says

(WASHINGTON) — A Louisiana barge tow struck and damaged a bridge in 2021 but the towboat’s pilot never reported the incident to authorities, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday. In the early morning hours of Dec. 23, 2021​, the towboat Miss Mollye D was pushing six hopper barges on the Intracoastal Waterway to New Orleans when the pilot…
Read More
Responders to raise partially submerged tug at Alaska dock

Responders to raise partially submerged tug at Alaska dock

(JUNEAU, Alaska) — Removal operations for a tugboat partially submerged at the National Guard Dock in Gastineau Channel, Alaska, are scheduled, weather pending, to be conducted later this week and into the weekend. Melino’s Marine Services, the contracted salvage company, plans to remove the vessel utilizing a barge and crane system that are currently en route from Bellingham, Wash. The…
Read More
Coast Guard suspends search for tug crewman near Sabine

Coast Guard suspends search for tug crewman near Sabine

(HOUSTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Tuesday for a missing tugboat crewmember near Sabine, Texas. Coast Guard crews searched approximately 206 square miles for a combined 23 search hours. “The tough decision of suspending a search is vetted through many channels and is never taken lightly,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jeffrey Schwind, search and rescue mission coordinator, Sector…
Read More