Fender Allision on Arkansas River

The Coast Guard is responding to a fender allision involving the 23-meter motor vessel Bill Rodgers and the Interstate 30 bridge at mile marker 118.5 on the Arkansas River, Thursday.

Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River watchstanders received a report from the vessel operator at 3:20 p.m. reporting that while pushing eight empty barges, the tug Bill Rodgers allided with the north fender system. The Coast Guard immediately dispatched its marine inspection and investigation teams to the scene to assess damage and determine the cause of the incident.

The I-30 bridge was shut down to traffic in order to allow the Arkansas State Police and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management teams to conduct a damage assessment. The bridge has since been reopened.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

uscgnews.com