Coast Guard issues waterway restriction after vessel sinks near Baton Rouge, Louisiana

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 03/14/2019 03:22 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

Coast Guard issues waterway restriction after vessel sinks near Baton Rouge, Louisiana

 

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard issued a waterway restriction after a vessel sank on the lower Mississippi River near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Thursday.

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders received a report at 11:00 a.m. of the towing vessel Michelle Anne sinking at Baton Rouge General Anchorage near mile marker 226 on the Mississippi River.

The four crewmembers aboard the Michelle Ann escaped and were rescued by a nearby tug. There were no reported injuries.

A Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge incident management team deployed to the scene to look for signs of pollution. The Army Corps of Engineers is deploying survey teams to locate the sunken tug.

There is a waterway closure from mile marker 224.5 to mile marker 226 on the Mississippi River.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

-USCG-