CAPT RODNEY E STOKES

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Tug allided with bridge

The "Michael G. Morris" allided with the two piers 4 and 5 of the old US 80 bridge in Vicksburg in the morning of March 20, 2018, at 5.30 a.m. scattering barges on the Mississippi river after the 28-barge-tow broke. 16 barges broke off and swung around to strike pier 3. Most of them were empty. The piers were inspected after the accident, but suffered only scrapes, the tug suffered more damage.

Response to barge breakaway continued

The Coast Guard continued to respond to the allision of the "Michael G. Morris" 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 was clear. The Coast Guard Captain of the Port Ohio Valley allowed 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 on Apr 10. Weather initially delayed the salvage, but teams were able to recover the sunken barge and move it outside the channel on Apr 14. Salvage operations were ongoing outside the channel. The Army Corps of Engineers and responsible party were 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.

Mississippi reopened after allision

The Coast Guard reopened the Mississippi River near Thebes, Illinois, on Apr 14. Salvage operations for the remaining cargo barge which sank after the allision of the "Michael G. Morris" with the railroad bridge continued. Coast Guard Sector Ohio valley was broadcasting a notice to mariners to appraise maritime traffic of the salvage operations. The cause of the incident was under investigation.