RON W CALLEGAN

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Barges broke free and sank after allision on Mississippi

The US Coast Guard was responding to the allision between the "Ron W. Callegan" with 22 barges owned by American Commercial Barge Line and a railroad bridge near Vicksburg, Mississippi, on Jan 12, 2016. The "Ron W. Callegan" allided with the Vicksburg Railroad Bridge. The convoy was heading south on the river, when hit the support on the bridge at 8.30 a.m. after which nine barges containing coal broke free. Four of those barges sank and some other barges have partially sunk near the Lady Luck Casino. All crew members have been accounted for and no one was injured. The Coast Guard has implemented a safety zone on the Lower Mississippi River from mile marker 438 to mile marker 426 to restrict maritime traffic to those vessels needed in the response. Ergon Energy dispatched six harbor tug boats to the scene and were able to corral several of the barges that were carrying grain and coal. A surveyor and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are working to locate the two barges that sank to ensure they will not be a hazard to navigation. The railroad bridge remained closed until a safety inspection was completed by the Vicksburg Bridge Commission and the State of Mississippi. The cause of the incident was under investigation. Due to high water levels on the river, there was a tremendous current downstream. The river was above flood stage, and the current was a lot more swift than usual, making it more difficult for barge operators to navigate the water. The river was expected to crest on Jan 15. Reports with photos and video: http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/video-two-mississippi-bridge-allisions-as-waters-rise http://wjtv.com/2016/01/12/authorities-barge-hits-bridge-in-vicksburg/ http://www.vicksburgpost.com/2016/01/12/bridge-collision-leads-to-four-sunk-barges/