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Bridge Strike off St. Louis

Bridge Strike off St. Louis

Barge Strike Eads Bridge
Photo: fox2now.com

On the afternoon of November 14, a tanker barge struck allided on the Mississippi River off St. Louis, Missouri. The Coast Guard reported that 6 tanker barges loaded light cycle oil had broken free from a tow on the Mississippi River. One of these barges struck the Eads Bridge, but there was no damage to the tanker barge and no pollution was released.

 

All six barges were later recovered later the same day. Reports were not clear what the cause the barges to break free. An aerial inspection of the bridge did not reveal any visible damage. The incident is under investigation.

 

Volharding 17

Volharding 17

Volharding 17
Photo: sikkom.nl

On the morning of November 7, the 86 meter long self-propelled tanker-barge Volharding 17 (MMSI: 244602504) allided on the Van Starkenborgh Canal near Dorkwerd, Netherlands. The Volharding 17  was headed to Waalhaven from Delfzijl when it struck the Drokwerder bridge. Both the bow of the tanker-barge and the bridge span was damaged.  Authorities have closed the bridge to road traffic.  The Volharding 17 was able proceed to a nearby mooring. No reports of injuries or pollution released.

Volharding 17
Photo: rtvnoord.nl

Authorities have stated that weather conditions may have been a factor in the incident.  The area had been enveloped in dense fog prior to the allision. Reports stated the bridge was also only partially open at the time. Local news state that bridge strikes are quite common as there have been 40 strikes over the last 25 years.

 

Shetland Trader

Shetland Trader

Shetland Trader
Photo: countypress.co.uk

On the evening of November 4, the 75 meter long, 2386 dwt cargo vessel Shetland Trader (IMO: 9030486) allided on the River Medina near Cowes, Isle of Wight, England. The Shetland Trader had departed from Terneuzen and arrived off Cowes where the local pilot boarded the cargo vessel.  The vessel proceeded up the River Medina when it suffered a power blackout caused by main engine failure.  The pilot ordered an emergency anchor to be dropped, but the cargo vessel drifted a short distance into an area holding personal watercraft in the Cowes port. Reports state that a sailboat, yacht and other watercraft were struck or pulled by the Shetland Trader. The smaller vessels sustained damage, but fortunately there were no injuries on any vessel.  No reports of damage or pollution released from the Shetland Trader.

The crew on the Shetland Trader was able to restore power and proceeded to a nearby pier in Cowes.  Reports state the Coastguard were alerted of the incident while the local authority was involved in the cleanup efforts. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has launched an investigation into the incident.