Update 5: Unified command continues response to barge breakaways on Ohio River

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland Contact: 8th District Public Affairs Office: (504) 671-2020 After Hours: (618) 225-9008 Eighth District online newsroom January 18, 2018

Update 5: Unified command continues response to barge breakaways on Ohio River

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

PITTSBURGH – A unified command consisting of the Coast Guard, United States Army Corps of Engineers and industry partners is continuing its response to barge breakaways on the Ohio River near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Moundsville, West Virginia, Thursday.

 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded an emergency contract to Pittsburgh-based River Salvage Company Inc. Thursday to assist with clearing ice against the lock gates at the Emsworth Lock and Dam. The ice clearing work is necessary to regain operation of the lock gates and to clear a channel for recovery vessels.

 

River Salvage arrived at the Emsworth Lock and Dam and joined the Army Corps' regional repair fleet and industry towboats working to clear ice.There is currently heavy ice above the dam extending approximately one mile upriver.

 

25 of the 27 breakaway barges from Jack’s Run Fleeting area at mile marker 4 on the Ohio River near Pittsburgh have been accounted for.

 

The two unaccounted-for barges are reported to be located above the dam.

 

A reported 34 barges broke away from fleeting areas at mile maker 94 on the Ohio River near Moundsville and 34 barges have been located.

 

There are a reported two barges in the channel.

 

The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers surveyed the surrounding area with side-scan sonar to assess the condition of the channel and look for possible obstructions.

 

The Coast Guard conducted a survey of the area to monitor the location of the breakaway barges.

 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is continuing ice-breaking and removal operations at Emsworth Lock and Dam to open the area for salvage crews.

 

Mariners are advised to be cautious of potential heavy ice flows resulting from the ice breaking efforts at Emsworth Lock and Dam.

 

The Coast Guard continues to monitor the situation in both locations.

 

The barges broke away due to ice and high water.

 

There are no reports of significant damage to Emsworth Lock and Dam and no environmental concerns from pollution.

 

Two safety zones, full waterway closures, have been established from mile marker 93 to mile marker 110 and mile marker 2 to mile marker 20 on the Ohio River due to risk of channel obstructions.

 

The public and industry personnel are urged to ensure barges and vessels are strongly secured due to heavy ice flow on the Ohio and Allegheny River.

 

-USCG-