Overpressurized Fuel System Led to Towboat Fire -NTSB
The engine room fire aboard a towing vessel was caused by overpressurization of the fuel day tank and a main engine fuel return system when a fatigued chief engineer inadvertently left the day tank overflow valves to the storage tanks closed, the National Transportation Safety Board said in Marine Investigation Report 22/17 released Wednesday.On May 18, 2021, the towing vessel Mary Lynn was pushing two barges near mile 176 on the Upper Mississippi River near St. Louis, Missouri when a fire broke out in the engine room. A Good Samaritan towing vessel and a St.
Mariner Missing from Capsized Towboat
The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to the report of a missing person and capsized vessel in the Upper Mississippi River, Monday. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River received the report Sunday at approximately 7:30 p.m of a capsized towing vessel at mile marker 173 on the Upper Mississippi River. Reports state three people were aboard the towboat and that two were rescued by the St. Louis Fire Department. The 61-foot towing vessel, Charlie Boy has approximately 9,350 gallons of fuel and other oils on board. Sector Upper Mississippi River issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and has closed the waterway from mile marker 165 to 178. There are no vessels in the queue at this time.
Willard Licenses SeaArk Commercial, Military Boats
Willard Marine, Inc., has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with SeaArk Marine, Inc., to build all of its commercial and military boat models, of which 7,000 have been sold worldwide since SeaArk Marine’s founding nearly 60 years ago. Based in Monticello, Ark., SeaArk Marine is family owned and was operated by the McClendon family beginning in 1959, and they experienced great success delivering boats to all 50 states, every U.S. held territory, and over 70 countries around the world.
Fire Departments Choose Sea-Fire Systems
Metalcraft Marine's Firestorm high-speed, aluminum fireboat represents a new generation in vessel technology, especially when fitted with Sea-Fire H Series engineered fire suppression systems. Recently, four fire departments selected this combination. The City of Alexandria, Virginia now has a Firestorm 50 fitted with Sea-Fire's H Series. Captain Rodney Masser's positive prior experience with Sea-Fire led him to this decision. "Sea-Fire systems came highly recommended by the boatbuilder," said Masser. "We have been very satisfied with Sea-Fire Systems equipment and service.
Tugboat Sunk Near St. Louis Riverfront, River Closure
The Coast Guard informs it is responding with St. Louis Fire Department to the sinking of a towing vessel on the Mississippi River near the St. Louis Riverfront. Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River received a report that the towing vessel Jim Marko owned by Osage Marine sank near the Stan Musial Memorial Bridge, with about 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board. The Mississippi River is closed between lock and dam 27 and the Eads Bridge. Pollution responders from Sector Upper Mississippi and the St. Louis Fire Department are on scene. The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident, and adds that there were no injuries reported.
