Crew escapes as towboat capsizes on Ohio River

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

(NEW ORLEANS) — The Coast Guard is responding to the sinking of a vessel near Cheshire, Ohio, on Friday.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Huntington received a report at 1 p.m. that the towing vessel Ed McLaughlin, owned by McGinnis Marine, capsized on the Ohio River at mile marker 259.

All three crewmembers that were aboard the vessel are accounted for and have been taken to a local hospital and were reported to be in stable condition.

There is an estimated 4,900 gallons of diesel fuel on board. Light sheening is reported to be around the vessel. Members from MSU Huntington were en route to the scene to determine if the vessel is leaking fuel and to provide initial assessments of potential environmental and waterway impacts.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

By Professional Mariner Staff