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Tag: United States Coast Guard

Towboat Collision on Mississippi

Towboat Collision on Mississippi

Towboat Collision
Photo: wral.com

On September 2, two towboats collided on the Mississippi River near Columbus, Kentucky.  Reports state six barges were damaged by the collision including one barge carrying 1 million gallons of slurry oil.  The barge had one of its tanks ruptured releasing some 120,000 gallons of the 250,000 in the tank hold.  Reports state the pollution has been released into the river, but the slurry oil is heavier than water and collects below the surface making estimates difficult.  The Coast Guard along with the owner of the barge have dispatched a pollution response team to the scene. Traffic along the 17 miles stretch of the river has been halted.  No reports of injuries.

Challenge

Challenge

Challenge
Photo: uscg

On August 16, the 19 meter long, 43 gt fishing vessel Challenge became disabled off Nantucket, Massachussets.  The Challenge had gone adrift after it had fouled it’s propeller with a line.  The Coast Guard was alerted with two cutters dispatched to the scene. The cutter Escanaba  arrived and took the Challenge under tow.  A few hours latter the cutter Hammerhead took over the tow back to port of New Bedford.  A tug took over the tow the following day and took the Challenge into the harbor.  No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.  Reports state the Challenge was loaded with 650 pounds of scallops at the time of the incident.

Cecily Jean

Cecily Jean

Cecily Jean
Photo: uscg

On August 18, the 23 foot long fishing vessel Cecily Jean sprung a leak off Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  The Cecily Jean discovered it was taking on water and sent out a distress call.  Two 47-foot lifeboats were launched to the scene while two other vessels remained nearby the Cecily Jean.  The Coast Guard lifeboat arrived and provided a dewatering pump to bring the flooding under control. The lifeboat took the Cecily Jean under tow back to port.  No reports of injuries to the 2 crew on board.