The 168 foot long towboat Jay Luhr allided with a Railroad Bridge near Thebes, Illinois on the Mississippi River causing all 25 barges loaded with rock to break loose. Twenty four barges have been recovered with one still in the waterway. No reports of injuries or pollution being released. The Coast Guard is investigating the incident.
The towboat Gentry B pushing four empty barges on the Ohio River struck the Calhoun Lock and Dam No. 2. causing the barges to partially break free. Later the same day, the 102 foot long towboat Hazel pushing four barges loaded with coal struck the Calhoun Lock and Dam No. 2 causing all four barges to break free. Three barges became stuck on the dam while the forth barge went over the dam resulting in the barge having water ingress. Workers were able to pump out water from the waterlogged barge. They transfered the coal off the barges to allow the barges to be pulled away from the dam to the shoreline. An inspection of the barges will be done before they continue down the river. No reports of injures or pollution being released.
Reports state that a towboat lost sixteen barges on the Mississippi River at Vicksburg, Mississippi. The 180 foot long towboat Kay A. Eckstein had 30 barges in tow when it allided with a railroad bridge. This section of the Mississippi River is known to be difficult to navigate, but high flood waters made naviagtion even more problematic. One barge sank while another became pinned to a pier of the highway I-20 bridge. The I-20 bridge was closed for several hours until an inspection could be completed. Reports state there was no concerns about pollution as the barges were loaded with dry cargo of bean, corn or grain. No injuries were reported.
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