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.
On August 3, a 195 foot long barge caught fire on the Intracoastal Waterway in the Mississippi Sound. The barge was under tow by the 23 meter long towboat Kathryn T. Devall carrying some 2500 pounds of anhydrous ammonia and 800 gallons of diesel fuel. Authorities in Gulfport, Mississippi were alerted and firefighters were able to douse the fire.
No reports of injuries to the 4 crew on board. The Kathryn T. Devall and the barge were not in danger of sinking, but the vessels required to be towed to shore. An environmental team was dispatched to help with cleanup.
