Coast Guard responding to sunken vessel on lower Mississippi River

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 01/24/2018 01:20 PM EST

united states coast guard

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 24, 2018

Coast Guard responding to sunken vessel on lower Mississippi River

Coast Guard responding to sunken vessel on lower Mississippi River Coast Guard responding to sunken vessel on lower Mississippi River

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Coast Guard is responding to a sunken vessel discharging oil near mile marker 823 on the lower Mississippi River near Blytheville, Arkansas, Wednesday.

Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River watchstanders were notified by Terral River Service at 5:35 a.m. of the uninspected towing vessel Virginia Renee sunk at its mooring at Hickman Landing. The Virginia Renee has a reported 10,000 gallons of diesel aboard.

Involved in the response are:

  • Sector Lower Mississippi River
  • Enhanced Environmental and Emergency Services (E3)
  • Budwine & Associates, INC.
  • Big River Shipbuilders

Boom and absorbent pads are being used to mitigate the spread of product and divers are on scene. A plan is being developed to salvage the vessel.

The Coast Guard is investigating the incident.

-USCG-