The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(NEW ORLEANS) —The Mississippi River has been reopened from mile marker 771 to mile marker 750 with vessel traffic restrictions near Memphis, Tenn., on Monday.
The area is open to one-way traffic to downbound vessels.
Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River reports that 38 barges have been secured after the vessel Cooperative Enterprise had 42 barges break away on Saturday. Four grounded barges are waiting to be lightered, which is restricting the waterway.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
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(NEW ORLEANS) — The Coast Guard closed the Mississippi River from mile marker 771 to mile marker 750 approximately 20 miles north of Memphis, Tenn., on Saturday.
The vessel Cooperative Enterprise was towing 42 barges containing corn or soybeans when they broke away.
Sixteen barges have been recovered, 26 barges are aground. The vessels Cheryl and Joe Ellis are helping to gather the remaining barges.
The river is closed to all vessel traffic until the barges have been secured.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
