NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard continues to respond to an allision resulting in a multiple barge breakaway and two sunken barges on the Mississippi River near Thebes, Illinois, Saturday.
Salvage operations for the barge resting against the Thebes Railroad Bridge began Saturday morning. The barge was recovered Saturday afternoon and moved outside the channel.
A salvage plan is being reviewed for the remaining sunken barge.
The Captain of the Port Ohio Valley will allow towing vessels with reduced tow sizes to transit the safety zone. Transit will be daylight hours only for southbound traffic, and day and night transit for northbound traffic. Transit is restricted to one-way traffic and will be coordinated with Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Paducah at (270) 994-7383.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.