Towing vessel sinks in Ohio River near Owensboro; 2 rescued

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
 
(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) — The Coast Guard is monitoring the salvage operations of the towing vessel Loyd C, after it sank while working on the Ohio River near Owensboro, Ky., Monday, Feb. 23, 2009.
 
The vessel sank yesterday afternoon approximately 100-yards from shore on the Ohio River. The two crewmembers aboard the Loyd C were rescued by the crew of the towing vessel Theresa Ann, which was working with the Loyd C at the time of the incident. Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley immediately dispatched personnel to the scene to monitor and supervise the response operations. The vessel’s owner, Evansville Marine Services, placed oil booms around the vessel and hired divers to seal the vessel’s fuel tanks to minimize any pollution.
 
The Coast Guard has approved a vessel salvage plan and will continue to observe the ongoing salvage operations to ensure public safety and has issued a marine safety broadcast requesting mariners to use no-wake speed while transiting near the salvage operations site. The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.
By Professional Mariner Staff