January 26, 2016 – Shipwreck Log

Double Barge Collisions

January 26, 2016 Paul Hancock

On January 26, multiple barges were in multiple incidents on the lower Mississippi River. Near Hahnville, Louisiana, a barge loaded with caustic soda capsized after two towboats collided. Traffic was halted around the area as crews were attempting to recover the barge. No injuries or pollution was released.

Near Nanchez, a barge loaded with oil slurry struck a bridge over the Mississippi River. The impact ruptured the barge’s hull allowing some 24,000 gallons of oil to be discharged into the water. The Coast Guard arrived on scene and removed the remaining 700,000 gallons of oil on to two other barges. No reports of injuries.

Modern Express

January 26, 2016 Paul Hancock

The 164 meter long, 10454 dwt ro-ro car carrier Modern Express became disabled in the Bay of Biscay while en route to Le Havre, France. The Modern Express was loaded with a cargo of vehicles and 3,700 tons of wood from Owendo, Gabon when it suffered a cargo shift. The shift caused the car carrier to develop a heavy starboard list of 40 degrees. The crew requested assistance and a helicopter was dispatched by Spanish authorities. All 22 crew on board the car carrier was air lifted to safety. A tug arrived on scene and was monitoring the situation. Reports state the owners of the Modern Express have arranged to have a salvage firm to assess the risks and evaluate salvage options while the vessel remains far off the coast.