The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(ST. LOUIS) — The Coast Guard is responding to a report of a towing vessel, Bill Pehler, that sunk at its moorings in the Mississippi River, Wednesday, at mile marker 182.5. At approximately 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River received a report that a 70-foot by 26-foot vessel sank with approximately 8,700 gallons of diesel fuel in its tanks on board.
A Coast Guard pollution investigator from Sector Upper Mississippi River and members of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources were dispatched to assess the incident.
A light sheen of diesel fuel is visible at the scene.
There are no reports of injuries.
Sorbent boom has been deployed around the vessel as a precaution, and a salvage company has been notified.
The salvage company will evaluate the situation Thursday morning for a removal operation.
The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.
