The U.S. Coast Guard responded to a multi-vessel incident on the Lower Mississippi River late Sunday night, April 27, that resulted in a sunken barge and a temporary waterway closure near mile marker 110, just upriver from New Orleans.
According to Coast Guard Sector New Orleans, the collision occurred around 9:20 p.m. involving the Panamanian-flagged motor vessel Isla De Bioko and the U.S.-flagged towing vessel Ginny Stone. The impact caused six barges to break free, one of which, loaded with urea, sank.
Assist tugs operating in the vicinity were able to recover four of the breakaway barges. The remaining two became entangled on the anchor lines of two anchored commercial vessels—the Red Fin and the Bulker Bee 30.
In response to the navigational hazard, the Captain of the Port closed the river from mile marker 108 to 111 above Head of Passes. A survey conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirmed the sunken barge was located approximately 75’ below the surface.
The river was reopened to vessel traffic under restrictions around 3:00 p.m. Monday, April 28, after salvage crews cleared the remaining two barges.
No injuries were reported, and there have been no confirmed impacts to wildlife or the shoreline, Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard said it is coordinating with the responsible party on continued assessment and salvage efforts.
A Coast Guard press release noted elevated river levels remain a complicating factor for marine traffic and recovery operations. The cause of the incident is under investigation.
WorkBoat will continue reporting on this story as updates become available.
