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Tag: Barge

Barges Sunk in West Bengal

Barges Sunk in West Bengal

Photo: thewall.in

On April 9, the barge Tofa Arif 4 sank on the Hooghly River near Kulpi, West Bengal, India. The barge was returning to Bangladesh after loading fly ash at Kolaghat when it was caught in a storm.  The crew anchored the barge to ride out the storm, but another vessel collided with it and its anchor line parted. The barge went adrift and the vessel sustained water ingress. The Tofa Arif 4 continued to drift until it became stuck  on a sandbar. The Tofa Arif 4 later sank on the high tide.  All eight crew members were rescued and placed in quarantine (covid-19 protocols). No reports of injuries.  Authorities have reported concerns the fly ash pollution has been released into the river.

A barge allided and sunk on the Muriganga River near Kachubaria Ghat. The barge had struck a high-voltage power tower resulting in hull damage and water ingress. The 10 crew on board were safely rescued from a rescue boat from Swamiji Sangha.  The barge would partially sink adjacent to the tower. No reports of injuries.

Photo: thewall.in

 

Piz Ela

Piz Ela

Piz Ela
Photo: wormser-zeitung.de

The 86 meter long self-propelled tanker-barge Piz Ela collided a barge on the Rhine near Eich, Germany.  The Piz Ela wsa proceeding from Mainz with a cargo of caustic soda when it struck a barge loaded with gravel. The gravel barge sustained heavy damage and suffered water ingress at the bow. The Piz Ela sustained hull damage, but no release of the cargo.  The local fire brigades were alerted and arrived on scene to find the gravel barge partially sunk.  Dewatering pumps were deployed and kept the gravel barge afloat. Rescuers found the master of the Piz Ela was slightly injured by the collision and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Authorities were able to place temporary patches on both vessels. Another barge arrived to help lighter the gravel cargo.  Reports state the master of the Piz Ela had no license and lack the necessary number of crew on board to operate. The tanker-barge was detained until a licensed master could take over the voyage. The water police has launched an investigation into the incident.

 

Washington

Washington

On January 28, the 170 foot long, 746 gt towboat Washington with 15 barges allided with the Interstate I-275 Carrol Lee Cropper Road Bridge on the Ohio River near Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Around 4 a.m. the Washington was proceeding slowly upriver with 15 barges loaded with coal when it struck the bridge.  Some of the barges broke free and drifted back downstream.  Nearby towboats came to the assistance and were able to retrieve all the barges. Reports state some of the barges sustained water ingress and required pumps to dewater.

Traffic remained open on the bridge. A later inspection by Kentucky authorities found no damage.  No reports of injuries or pollution released. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.