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Tag: Towboat

Mississippi Collision

Mississippi Collision

RC Creppel

On January 26, the 61 meter long towboat Cooperative Spirit collided with the 22 meter long towboat RC Creppel on the Mississippi River off Luling, Louisiana. The Cooperative Spirit proceeded upbound on the river when it struck the RC Creppel and two barges ladden with sulfuric acid.  The barges broke away and the RC Creppel quickly sank. One barge sustained damage and released vapor in the air. The Cooperative Spirit also reported significant damage, but remained afloat.

Authorities were alerted and the Coast Guard dispatched a response boat and a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from New Orleans. Traffic on the Mississippi River was halted while the barges could be secured while searching for the four crew of the RC Creppel.  One crewman from the RC Creppel was pulled from the water by a nearby boat.

Authorities continued a search into the following day, but no signs of the remaining 3 crewmen.  Reports state the search and rescue operation finally ended after 67 hours of searching.  The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.

Everett Fisher

Everett Fisher

Everett Fisher
Photo: uscg

On January 21, the dredge barge Everett Fisher ran aground in the Matagorda Ship Channel near Port Lavaca, Texas. The dredger had sprung a leak and could not control the flooding. The crew alerted authorities and requested assistance. The 30 meter long towboat Dana Robyn arrived on scene and pushed the Everett Fisher until it ran aground.  The Dana Robyn took the four crew off the Everett Fisher safely. No reports of injuries. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.

Ed McLaughlin

Ed McLaughlin

Ed McLaughlin
Photo: coastguardnews.com

The 18 meter long, 83 gt towboat Ed McLaughlin capsized and sank on the Ohio River near Cheshire, Ohio. The towboat was near mile marker 259 when it lost stability and capsized.  All three crewmen on board the Ed McLaughlin were able to abandon ship before the towboat sank.  The crew were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.  The Coast Guard reports the Ed McLaughlin had some 4900 gallons of diesel fuel on board at the time of the sinking.  A response team was on scene and is monitoring the situation.  A light sheen has been spotted in the river suggesting some fuel has leaked from the Ed McLaughlin.  The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.