Mississippi River closed after towboat strikes bridge; 6 barges loose

The following is the text of two press releases issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
 
(GREENVILLE, Miss.) — The Coast Guard has closed the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic from mile marker 531 to 541 as the result of a towing vessel allision at approximately 5:20 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009.
 
The allision between the towing vessel C. B. Ford and the Old Greenville Bridge resulted in six rock barges breaking free. Five of the adrift barges have been recovered. The one adrift barge is in the processing of being recovered by assist vessels.
There are no reports of injuries or pollution and the incident is under investigation.
 
***
 
(GREENVILLE, Miss.) — The Coast Guard reopened the Mississippi River at 8:35 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, from mile markers 531 to 541.
 
The Coast Guard closed the Mississippi River to all vessel traffic as the result of a towing vessel allision at approximately 5:20 a.m., this morning. The allision between the towing vessel C. B. Ford and the Old Greenville Bridge resulted in six rock barges breaking free.
 
All barges have been recovered.

The incident is under investigation.

By Professional Mariner Staff