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.
The 249 meter long, 116,104 dwt tanker Nordbay allided with a wharf on the Mississippi River near New Orleans, Louisiana. The tanker was proceeding up the river in ballast when high winds caused the vessel to veer towards the riverbank. The crew tried to alert nearby tugs, but they were unable to stop the Nordbay from striking the wharf. The tanker sustained hull damage with one of the ballast tanks holed. Ballast water was released into the river, but no oil pollution was reported. The tanker proceeded to an anchorage off New Orleans to be inspected. No reports of injuries. Reports state the Nordbay also struck the one of the water intakes as well as the wharf.
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.