Coast Guard responding to barge breakaway and sinking

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/24/2018 09:22 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

May 24, 2018

Coast Guard responding to barge breakaway and sinking

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard is responding to a barge breakaway and sinking on the Monongahela River near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Thursday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley received a report that 14 loaded coal barges broke away from the Gulf Materials fleeting area in the vicinity of mile marker 10.3 on the Monongahela River. One barge subsequently sank at mile marker 8.9. 

The river is closed from mile marker 7 to mile marker 11.3 until further notice.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

 

-USCG-