Coast Guard responds to sunken barge

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 04/18/2018 08:12 PM EDT

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

April 18, 2018

Coast Guard responds to sunken barge

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard is responding to a sunken barge on the Ohio River near Cairo, Illinois, Wednesday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley received a report at 1:10 p.m. that six barges broke free from a towing vessel near mile marker 964 on the Ohio River.

Five of the barges have been secured.

One barge carrying pig iron sank and its location is unknown.

The Army Corps of Engineers has closed the Olmsted Lock and Dam until the barge is located.

Divers are scheduled to search for the barge with side scan sonar pending weather conditions.

The Coast Guard is broadcasting a safety message to notify mariners of the situation.

-USCG-