On January 3, the 55 meter long towboat Joe Bobzien ran aground on the Mississippi River near Caruthersville, Missouri. The Joe Bobzien was pushing 35 barges when it went struck bottom. The barges broke free causing traffic to stop along a 30 mile stretch of the river. Reports state multiple vessels were deployed to assist recovering the barges. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.
On January 26, multiple barges were in multiple incidents on the lower Mississippi River. Near Hahnville, Louisiana, a barge loaded with caustic soda capsized after two towboats collided. Traffic was halted around the area as crews were attempting to recover the barge. No injuries or pollution was released.
Near Nanchez, a barge loaded with oil slurry struck a bridge over the Mississippi River. The impact ruptured the barge’s hull allowing some 24,000 gallons of oil to be discharged into the water. The Coast Guard arrived on scene and removed the remaining 700,000 gallons of oil on to two other barges. No reports of injuries.
On January 13, the 67 meter long towboat Inez Andreas along with its barges allided with a railroad bridge over the Mississippi River at Vicksburg, Mississippi. The towboat lost two barges that broke free. One of these barges later sank. Authorities closed traffic on the bridge until it could be inspected. The barge that sank did not pose any hazard for traffic. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.