Two Towboats Sink

The Coast Guard is responded yesterday after two towboats, with four people sank, while tied alongside the dock on the Atchafalaya River in Krotz Springs, La.

At just after 4 a.m. the Coast Guard received a call that the MISS MARJORIE, a 50-foot towing vessel, and the AMY SUE, a 62-foot towing vessel, were tied together and moored to the dock at the Krotz Springs Valero Refinery, when the deckhand noticed the MISS MARJORIE taking on water. The deckhand woke up the captain and crew just before the MISS MARJORIE sank, subsequently sinking the AMY SUE as well. Three crewmembers safely jumped to the pier while the forth, the captain, swam safely to shore.

Pollution Investigators from Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge assessed the waterway and declared that of the estimated 500 gallons spilled, there was only minimal recoverable diesel fuel which is currently being cleaned by spill contractors.

Salvage operations are expected to begin Friday.