Double Barge Collisions
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.