The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(CHESTER, Ill.) — The Coast Guard is responding to the reported sinking of a towing vessel on the upper Mississippi River near Chester at about 12:30 a.m. Thursday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley received the initial report of the Maverick sinking at mile marker 105. There was a crew of two persons aboard the towboat when it sank. Both crewmembers were safely rescued by the towing vessel Hortense B Ingram and were examined at a local hospital with no reported injuries.
The Coast Guard established a safety zone from mile marker 104 to 106 on the upper Mississippi River until the location of the sunken vessel is confirmed.
The Maverick had an estimated 3,500 gallons of diesel fuel and an undetermined amount of lube oil on board when it sank. Pollution cleanup, salvage, and dive contractors have been contacted and are en route to respond to this incident. There are currently no reports of fuel in the water. Personnel from the Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Paducah, Ky., will supervise any response and recovery efforts.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
