Coast Guard Responds to Barge Breakaway Near Greenville
Posted by Michelle Howard
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
The Coast Guard yesterday responded to a barge breakaway at mile marker 501.6 near Greenville, Mississippi.
The tow vessel Big J.O. struck the bank of the Mississippi River, resulting in four empty barges and two barges loaded with urea ammonium nitrate breaking loose.
The Mississippi River was closed at that time from mile marker 503 to mile marker 490.
One of the loaded barges was reportedly sinking. Four barges have been secured.
Good Samaritan vessels assisted in retrieving the remaining unsecured barge.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.