USCG Investigates Towboat Groundings

The U.S. Coast Guard investigated three separate towboat-related groundings on the lower Mississippi River yesterday that prompted the closure of parts of the river. One of them occured near Helena-West Helena, Arkansas. The first occured about 180 miles south of Angola, Louisiana. At 6:30 a.m., another towboat ran aground about 15 miles north of Rosedale, Mississippi. The third accident happened about 3:15 p.m. when the 140-ft. towboat 'Captain Russell Simpson,' pushing 25 barges of dry cargo, ran aground about 40 miles south of Helena-West Helena, at mile-marker 626.1 The river was closed between mile-marker 623.1 and 628. No injuries or pollution were reported in the accidents. The Coast Guard said that investigators have not determined the cause of the accidents. Low-water advisories are in effect for the areas of the river where the groundings occured. (Source: www.kait8.com)