On August 9, the 122 meter long, 6809 gt tanker-barge Norman McLeod went aground on the St. Lawrence River near Sorel, Quebec. The tanker-barge had been at anchor when the anchor chain broke. The barge drifted away and grounded nearby. Tugs were dispatched and were able to refloat the tanker-barge a short time later. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On April 7, the 112 foot long tanker-barge Vengeance was found capsized and later sunk in San Francisco Bay near Oakland, California. The barge was loaded with 4000 gallons of diesel fuel and 300 gallons of hydraulic oil sank in 50 feet of water between Treasure Island and Oakland near the Bay Bridge. No one was on board the vessel when it capsized. No reports of injuries.
A slick of diesel fuel was spotted on the surface over the wreck. Authorities deployed some 3,000 feet of boom to help contain the pollution. No official report on how much fuel had been released. Both state authorities and the Coast Guard are monitoring the site.
Divers were called to perform an inspection of the sunken tanker-barge and plug the fuel vents to impede any further release of diesel fuel or hydraulic fluid.
Local reports state the vessel may have capsized due to the high winds in the bay the night before. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.
The tanker-barge RTC 150 being pushed by the 38 meter long, 195 dwt towboat Meredith C. Reinauer ran aground on the Hudson River near Catskill, New York. The tanker-barge, loaded with 2.5 million gallons of gasoline, had run onto the rocks some 30 feet from the navigation channel in 6 feet of water. No reports of injuries.
Local and state authorities along with the Coast Guard arrived on scene. While no signs of pollution being released, authorities decided that the cargo of gasoline should be lightered onto another tanker-barge before any attempts to refloat the RTC 150. The lighter operations were completed later the same day. The Coast Guard then inspected the RTC 15o for damage.
With no signs of damage and no pollution released, the RTC 150 was refloated. The barge was towed to Albany where it will undergo further inspection.
Reports state the cause of the grounding may be due to the foggy weather. However, the report also states the Meredith C. Reinauer was enabled with GPS navigation.
State authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
