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Category: Sank

Allision on the Amazon

Allision on the Amazon

Ucayali
Photo: x.com

On the early morning of May 2, the 47 meter long Peruvian navy vessel Ucayali (CF-14) allided on the Amazon River near the confluence of the Napo River some 50 miles downstream from Iquitos, Peru. The Ucayali was  proceeding on the Amazon when it struck the anchored 196 meter long, 27471 dwt oil barge El Manati (IMO: 8641604) resulting in the hull breach and uncontrolled water ingress. The crew were unable to stop the flooding and the Ucayali partially sank to the river bottom.  Reports state that 30 of the crew were rescued, but 2 crew perished and one was listed as missing. An operation was launched with divers along with aerial drones for the missing crew members.

Damage to the El Manati was not reported, but there were no reports of oil pollution released from the barge. The Peruvian Navy has launched an investigation into the incident.

El Manati

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.

Isla De Bioko

Isla De Bioko

Isla De Bioko

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.