Hearing Scheduled on Barge Explosion

At approximately 4:45 p.m. on January 19, 2005 a tank barge that was owned and operated by Egan Marine Corporation exploded and sank in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal just east of the Cicero Avenue Bridge. One crewmember died as a result of the explosion. Salvage operations are currently underway to remove the barge from the canal.

At the direction of the Ninth District Commander, the Coast Guard will convene a formal hearing beginning at 10:00 a.m. on April 4, 2005 to determine the cause of this casualty. The Coast Guard hearing will be open to the public and will be held at the William Tell Holiday Inn in Countryside, IL. Media agencies desiring to participate in coverage of the proceedings must provide a written request at least two days in advance to the Coast Guard Investigating Officer, via the Marine Safety Office Chicago Public Affairs Officer, 215 West 83 Street Suite D, Burr Ridge, IL 60544. The request must include a description of the type of coverage planned and whether pooling arrangements have been made (it is solely the media's responsibility to make arrangements for the pooling of audio, video and still photographic equipment). When a pooling arrangement has been made, designated media representatives should be listed. It should be noted that no additional lighting will be permitted and that all equipment must be in place prior to the commencement of the proceedings.