UPDATE 3: Barges removed from lock and dam after barge break away

News Release

March 5, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland Contact: 8th District Public Affairs Office: (504) 671-2020 After Hours: (618) 225-9008

UPDATE 3: Barges removed from lock and dam after barge break away

NEW ORLEANS – The two barges that were pinned to the Racine Lock and Dam after a barge break away were removed, Sunday.  

At approximately 12:00 p.m. the motor vessel M.K. McNally towed the two barges from the dam and placed them in the auxiliary lock chamber for an initial survey prior to being towed by the motor vessel Alabama to Amherst Madison facility in Henderson, West Virginia.

Saturday, the motor vessel Austin C. Settoon was dewatered after being recovered and transferred from Racine Locks to Amherst Madison facility by the motor vessel Alabama.

The unified command consists of the Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and the responsible party, Settoon Towing Company.

The Coast Guard received a report that the motor vessel Austin C. Settoon, pushing three barges loaded with approximately 3,780,000 gallons of natural gas condensate, allided with the lock wall at approximately 5:30 a.m., Thursday. Two barges, along with the towing vessel, subsequently broke away to rest along the dam. The third barge was retained within the lock chamber.

There have been no reports of injuries or pollution.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

 

-USCG-