January 21, 2016
NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard continues its response to a 22-barge breakaway at mile marker 54 on the Mississippi River, near West Point a la Hache, Thursday.The Mississippi River 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 hazard to navigation.The vessel queue is 21 south bound and 18 up bound.As a result of the breakaway, the deep-draft motor vessels, Q Jake, Serena P and Ocean Tomo, sustained damage after barges that broke away collided with them. A portion of dry-bulk soy beans from one of the vessels entered the river and the release has since been secured. The three affected deep-draft vessels are 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 is pushed up against the left descending bank.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.