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.

Four Vessel Capsized on Huachong

Four Vessel Capsized on Huachong

Huachong Vessels Capsized
Photo: Xinhua News

On the afternoon of May 4, four tourist passenger vessels capsized on the Huachong River in China’s Guizhou Province.  Reports state a sudden severe thunderstorm with strong winds caused the vessels to rollover spilling some 84 passengers and crew into the water.  Reports state two vessels had no passengers and seven total crew on board.  These seven crew members were able to swim to safety.  The other 2 vessels were loaded with passengers.  Many passengers were able to swim to safety, but some became trapped in the overturned vessels. Authorities launched a search and rescue with over 500 emergency personnel to the area.

Reports state that 70 people were pulled from the water suffering from minor injuries.  Those injured were taken to hospital for treatment. Operations continued into the night, but rescuers were only able to recovered those who perished in the incident.  Ten bodies would be eventually recovered from the river.

Authorities state the two vessels that capsized were rated to carry 40 passengers and were not overloaded at the time of the incident. The names of the four vessels were not disclosed.

 

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.