Browsed by
Category: Allision

Myra Eckstein

Myra Eckstein

Myra Eckstein
Photo: Vicksburgnews.com

On the morning of May 5, the 47 meter long towboat Myra Eckstein (MMSI: 367505510) and its tow of barges allided with the Old Highway 80 Bridge on the Mississippi River at Vicksburg, Mississippi. The Myra Eckstein was pushing 25 barges loaded with grain when it struck pier number 4 off the bridge.  This is the same location that the towboat Rickey Hughes struck just a few days prior.

Local news reports state the lead barge in the tow struck the bridge before it broke free along with four other barges.  Three barges drifted downstream while one other struck pier number 5 of the bridge before it also floated downstream.  One barge was holed and sank a short distance downriver.  Authorities state the barges did not strike the nearby Interstate 20 bridge.

Myra Eckstein

There were no reports of injuries. Traffic on the Old Highway Bridge has been halted until it can be inspected for damage. The Coast Guard was reported to be onsite at bridge and has launched an investigation into the incident.

Rickey Hughes

Rickey Hughes

Photo: vicksburgnews.com

On the afternoon of May 1, the 51 meter long towboat Rickey Hughes (MMSI: 367057330) pushing a tow of barges allided with the Old Highway 80 Bridge over the Mississippi River at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Reports states the Rickey Hughes was proceeding downstream when it suffered a mechanical breakdown and lost steering at it approached the bridge. The leading barge then struck the number 4 bridge pier causing the tow to break apart. Several barges broke free and drifted away while one barge remained pinned against on the bridge pier.

Authorities halted traffic on the bridge so it could be inspected. Inspectors found the bridge was undamaged and traffic resumed several hours later. Reports state there were no reports of injuries and no pollution released. The Coast Guard and local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Alphenaar

Alphenaar

Alphenaar
Photo: ijsselenlekstreek.nl

On the evening of April 14, the 90 meter long self-propelled container barge Alphenaar (MMSI: 244059204) allided on the Ijssel near Krimpen upon the IJssel, Netherlands. The Alphenaar was headed to Moerdijk from Rotterdam with a cargo of containers when it struck the underside of the Algera Bridge.  One container sustained a large dent and the the bridge suffered some paint damage.  Traffic on the bridge was not impacted and the Alphenaar was able to proceed under its own power to a nearby mooring. Reports state that authorities conducted a short investigation and collected a statement from the captain.  There were no reports of injuries or pollution released. This is the third bridge strike by the Alphenaar within the last 9 months. See posts on the allisions in October 2024 and November 2024 for further details.