On January 10, the 123 foot long towboat Gate City sank on the Big Sandy River near Butler, West Virginia. The towboat had sunk at its moorings releasing some 1300 gallons of oil into the river. Authorities were alerted and dispatched a team to the scene. Booms were placed around the Gate City to contain the pollution. Some 800 gallons of oil was recovered from the river. Local water service was halted for several days due to the pollution.
Reports state a salvage team pumped the remaining oil off the towboat before the Gate City was refloated. No reports of injuries. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.
On December 8, the 66 foot long towboat Ricky Robinson sank on the Mississippi River off Mud Island near Memphis, Tennessee. It is unclear what caused the towboat to sink. The Coast Guard was notified and begun a search and rescue operation for the two people on board. A search by local authorities and the Coast Guard were unable to locate the two crew.
However, authorities were able to find the Ricky Robinson which now rests on the bottom in 65 feet of water. The owners of the vessel state they will salvage the towboat. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.
Several vessels are seen aground near Corpus Christi, Texas by a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew conducting an overflight, Aug. 31, 2017. The vessels ran aground as a result of Hurricane Harvey. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall.
Additional information about the vessels sunk by Hurricane Harvey. The Coast Guard has released photos of the towboats Sabine Pass, Sandy Point and Belle Chasse which were in Lydia Ann Channel near Port Aransas, Texas when the hurricane struck. Two vessels, Sabine Pass and Sandy Point, were washed ashore while the Belle Chasse sunk in the Lydia Ann Channel. Each towboat had 2 empty barges which broke free during the hurricane. The barges now rest high and dry on the bank near the channel. No reports of injuries as all 11 crew had been safely evacuated.
A drill ship rests near the entrance to the Port of Corpus Christi, Aug. 31, 2017, after running aground during Hurricane Harvey. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall.
Salvage efforts have been started including refloating the of the drillship Paragon DPDS 1 and other vessels sunk or aground near Port Aransas or Corpus Christi, Texas.
A barge rests near Corpus Christi, Texas, Aug. 31, 2017, after running aground during Hurricane Harvey. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall.
A drill ship rests near the entrance to the Port of Corpus Christi, Aug. 31, 2017, after running aground during Hurricane Harvey. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall.
Several vessels are seen aground near Corpus Christi, Texas by a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew conducting an overflight, Aug. 31, 2017. The vessels ran aground as a result of Hurricane Harvey. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall.
Coast Guard monitors the recovery and transit of the grounded drill ship Paragon DPDS1, Sept. 4, 2017, in the Aransas Pass near Corpus Christi, Texas.
After the Coast Guard approved the salvage plan for the drill ship, the vessel was recovered and towed to Gulf Marine Fabricators in Corpus Christi, Texas. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall.
Coast Guard monitors the recovery and transit of the grounded drill ship Paragon DPDS1, Sept. 4, 2017, in the Aransas Pass near Corpus Christi, Texas.
After the Coast Guard approved the salvage plan for the drill ship, the vessel was recovered and towed to Gulf Marine Fabricators in Corpus Christi, Texas. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall.
Coast Guard monitors the recovery and transit of the grounded drill ship Paragon DPDS1, Sept. 4, 2017, in the Aransas Pass near Corpus Christi, Texas.
After the Coast Guard approved the salvage plan for the drill ship, the vessel was recovered and towed to Gulf Marine Fabricators in Corpus Christi, Texas. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall.
