(NEW ORLEANS) — The U.S. Coast Guard responded to a vessel collision that resulted in a barge breakaway and one sunken barge on the Lower Mississippi River near New Orleans on April 29.
Watch standers at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at approximately 9:20 p.m. that the Panamanian-flagged tanker Isla de Bioko and the U.S.-flagged towboat Ginny Stone were involved in a collision at mile marker 110.
Following the collision, six barges broke free and began drifting downriver while one barge loaded with urea sank. Assist vessels in the area diverted and successfully retrieved four drifting barges, while the remaining two became lodged on the anchor lines of the bulk carriers Red Fin and Bulker Bee 30.
The captain of port temporarily closed the Lower Mississippi River from mile marker 108 to 111, above Head of Passes, due to the safety hazards associated with the barge breakaway and sunken barge. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed a survey of the channel and confirmed the sunken barge’s location to be approximately 75 feet below the water line.
At approximately 3 p.m. on May 1, following the successful removal of the two breakaway barges, the river was reopened to vessel traffic with restrictions.
Elevated river levels are contributing to challenging conditions, but the Coast Guard is actively coordinating with the responsible party to assess the incident and salvage planning.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
– U.S. Coast Guard
