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.
The Army Corps of Engineers completed a survey of the navigational channel and reports the channel is clear. The Coast Guard Captain of the Port Ohio Valley is allowing transit of the safety zone with no restrictions.
Salvage operations for the sunken barge in the middle of the channel at mile marker 42 began Sunday. Weather initially delayed the salvage, but teams were able to recover the sunken barge and move it outside the channel, Thursday. Salvage operations are ongoing outside the channel.
The Army Corps of Engineers and responsible party are working to determine a plan for future recovery of cargo hatch covers on the river bottom.
The Coast Guard may implement further navigation restrictions during recovery operations.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.