Coast Guard, partner agencies respond to adrift vessels on Hudson

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The following is text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(NEW YORK) — The Coast Guard and partner agencies are responding to reports of several barges and vessels breaking away from their moorings on the Hudson River near Troy, N.Y., on Friday morning.

Watch standers at Coast Guard Sector New York received the initial report of the situation from Rensselaer emergency dispatch.

New York State Marine notified the Coast Guard that an additional six vessels were noticed adrift in the ice floes shortly before sunrise.

One of the vessels is a 300-foot cruise boat, currently stuck at the Livingston Avenue railroad bridge. Two adrift barges have been secured.

Coast Guard cutter Penobscot Bay, a 140-foot icebreaker, and Coast Guard cutter Wire, a 65-foot icebreaking tug, have been dispatched and are en route to the scene to assist.

An overflight from a Coast Guard aircraft is scheduled to take place to assess the exact positions of the adrift vessels. Two commercial tugs are also responding.

Coast Guard members continue to work with New York Department of Transportation, New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services, and local emergency responders.

There have been no reports of injuries or pollution at this time.

The Coast Guard is continuing to investigate the incident.

By Professional Mariner Staff