The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(NEW ORLEANS) — The Coast Guard has reopened the Mississippi River after it was closed following a collision between two towing vessels near St. Joseph, La., Monday.
The Army Corps of Engineers located the sunken barge and at 1 p.m., the Coast Guard captain of the port for Sector Lower Mississippi determined the river was safe for vessels to pass the area.
At approximately 12 a.m., Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River was notified by the captain of the vessel Hank Tulodzieski, a 184-foot towing vessel, that his vessel and the vessel Tiny Sanderson, an 81-foot towing vessel, collided at mile marker 406, approximately 30 miles south of Vicksburg.
The collision resulted in one barge, carrying scrap steel, sinking and another carrying Petroleum Coke being set adrift. The adrift barge was recovered by the towing vessel Dixie Leader.
No other damage, pollution or injuries have been reported. The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.
No other damage, pollution or injuries have been reported. The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.
