On the evening of May 16, the 23 meter long towboat Ina XL (MMSI: 244139668) sank in the port of Antwerp, Belgium. The Ina XL was reported to be moored near the Noordkasteel Bridge when it suffered uncontrolled water ingress and partially sank next to the quay. Authorities were alerted and requested divers to assist in refloating the towboat. No reports of injuries.
On the morning of May 5, the 47 meter long towboat Myra Eckstein (MMSI: 367505510) and its tow of barges allided with the Old Highway 80 Bridge on the Mississippi River at Vicksburg, Mississippi. The Myra Eckstein was pushing 25 barges loaded with grain when it struck pier number 4 off the bridge. This is the same location that the towboat Rickey Hughes struck just a few days prior.
Local news reports state the lead barge in the tow struck the bridge before it broke free along with four other barges. Three barges drifted downstream while one other struck pier number 5 of the bridge before it also floated downstream. One barge was holed and sank a short distance downriver. Authorities state the barges did not strike the nearby Interstate 20 bridge.
There were no reports of injuries. Traffic on the Old Highway Bridge has been halted until it can be inspected for damage. The Coast Guard was reported to be onsite at bridge and has launched an investigation into the incident.
On the afternoon of May 1, the 51 meter long towboat Rickey Hughes (MMSI: 367057330) pushing a tow of barges allided with the Old Highway 80 Bridge over the Mississippi River at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Reports states the Rickey Hughes was proceeding downstream when it suffered a mechanical breakdown and lost steering at it approached the bridge. The leading barge then struck the number 4 bridge pier causing the tow to break apart. Several barges broke free and drifted away while one barge remained pinned against on the bridge pier.
Authorities halted traffic on the bridge so it could be inspected. Inspectors found the bridge was undamaged and traffic resumed several hours later. Reports state there were no reports of injuries and no pollution released. The Coast Guard and local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.