Cargo Business Newswire

Monday, January 25, 2016

Mississippi River closed after 3 barges breakaway

On Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard was still working a 22-barge breakaway at mile marker 54 on the Mississippi River, near West Point a la Hache in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.

The river remains closed between mile markers 50 to 53. The Coast Guard is overseeing operations to assess the location of the last barge to determine if is a navigation hazard.

The ships — Q Jake, Serena P and Ocean Tomo — were damaged in the collision. Dry-bulk soy beans

from one of the vessels spilled into the river and the release has since been secured.

The three ships are now safely anchored.

All 22 barges were loaded with coal and petroleum coke, a coal like substance. All of the barges have been accounted for and secured except one that remains pushed up against a river bank.

For more of the Fox8 New Orleans story: www.fox8live.com