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Tag: Towboat

Ciudad de Medellín

Ciudad de Medellín

Ciudad de Medellín
Photo: facebook

On the morning of August 17, the 19 meter long towboat Ciudad de Medellín (MMSI: 627214286) allided on the Magdalena River at Barrancabermeja, Colombia. The Ciudad de Medellín was proceeding on the river when it struck one of the piers of the Guillermo Gaviria Bridge. The impact caused the part of the pilothouse to be torn off.  The strong current caused the towboat to take on water resulting in the vessel listing over on its starboard hull.  The Ciudad de Medellín would later partially sink.

Reports state that several crew members jumped into the river and swam to rescue boats. Local citizens attempted to aid the crew by throwing life jackets to them. News accounts do not state if any crew members were injured or not during the incident.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Witnesses have stated the water levels on the river was high due to heavy rains. There is some speculation that the towboat had steered out of the navigation channel before striking the bridge. Reports state that engineers are inspecting the bridge for damage while traffic continues to proceed over the bridge.

Towboats Capsize On The Ohio

Towboats Capsize On The Ohio

Jackie Lee Anderson
Photo: wsiltv.com

On the morning of July 1, the 82 foot long towboat Jackie Lee Anderson (MMSI: 368926691) and another towboat capsized on the Ohio River near the Olmsted Locks and Dam in Illinois. Details of the incident have not been released to the public, but one of the towboats completely turned over while another capsized onto its port side.

Authorities from multiple local agencies and the United States Coast Guard responded to the incident. News reports state all the crew were rescued. Accounts do not state there were any injuries or any medical treatment was required. The incident is under investigation. The name of the other towboat is suspected to be the #775 workboat, but no details about this vessel could be confirmed.

The Jackie Lee Anderson was launched in 2023 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District. The vessel was assigned to the Olmsted Locks and Dam as a workboat.

OT 2439

OT 2439

OT 2439
Photo: fontanka.ru

On the evening of June 8, the 51.5 meter long, 197 dwt towboat OT 2439 (IMO: 8995184) sank on the Yenisei River near the Kazachinsky rapids in Siberia, Russia.  The OT 2439 was pushing two empty barges downstream when it struct an unidentified underwater object. The towboat suffered hull damage to its stern with uncontrolled water ingress before the vessel went aground.  The stern of the OT 2439 eventually flooded and partially sinking.  No reports of injuries to any of the 14 crew members.

OT 2439

Reports state the OT 2439 had released oil pollution into the river. Authorities placed measures to contain the pollution including an oil barrier and booms. No details were released on what object was involved in the incident. Russian authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident.