On the night of April 27, the 186 meter long, 51609 dwt tanker Isla De Bioko (IMO: 9767235) collided barges being pushed by the towboat Ginny Rose on the Mississippi River near New Orleans, Louisiana. The upbound Isla De Bioko collided with the barges as the Ginny Rose was maneuvering into the middle of the navigation channel. There were no injuries on either vessel, but one of the barges sank with its cargo of fertilizer (urea). Six other barges in the tow broke free and drifted downstream. Four barges would be later recovered and two barges became entangled in the anchor chains of the vessel Red Fin and Bulker Bee 30.
The Coast Guard temporarily closed traffic in the area until the sunken barge could be located. The barge would be found in 75 feet of water which was deemed safe to allow traffic to resumed. The Coast Guard also was able to recover the last 2 barges. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Reports state there were plan to salvage the sunken barge.
