A collision between two vessels on the Lower Mississippi River on 27 April led to a barge breakaway and the sinking of one barge, prompting a temporary closure of the waterway, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
At approximately 9:20 p.m. on Sunday 27 April, Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received reports of a collision between the Panamanian-flagged motor vessel ISLA DE BIOKO and the U.S.-flagged towing vessel GINNY STONE near mile marker 110, just upriver from New Orleans.
The incident caused six barges to break free. While assist tugs were able to recover four of them, one barge loaded with urea sank, and two others became entangled on the anchor lines of the motor vessels RED FIN and BULKER BEE 30.
In response to the incident, the Captain of the Port temporarily closed the Mississippi River from mile markers 108 to 111 due to navigation hazards. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers later surveyed the river and confirmed the sunken barge was resting approximately 75 feet below the surface.
By Monday at approximately 3:00 p.m., after the removal of the remaining breakaway barges, the Coast Guard reopened the affected stretch of river with navigation restrictions in place.
Authorities noted that elevated river levels are contributing to challenging conditions as recovery efforts continue. The Coast Guard is working closely with the responsible party to assess the situation and develop a salvage plan.
No injuries have been reported, and there are currently no known impacts to wildlife or the shoreline. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
