CG reopens section of Miss. River

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard reopened the Mississippi River, from mile marker 224.5 to mile marker 226, after a vessel sank near Baton Rouge, La., on March 14. CG Marine Safety Unit-Baton Rouge’s incident management team confirmed an oil sheen in the water. There is a reported potential of 18,500 gallons of fuel aboard the Michelle Anne. An unknown amount was discharged into the river. Due to concerns over responder safety from dangerous river conditions, the CG and OMI Environmental of Belle Chasse, La., are managing the spill from shore. CG Sector New Orleans received an 11 a.m. report of the towing vessel Michelle Anne, pushing an empty dry cargo barge with four crewmembers, sinking at Baton Rouge General Anchorage. General Anchorage remains closed. The crewmembers escaped to the barge and were recovered by a tug. There were no reported injuries. The barge was recovered. The cause of the incident is under investigation. (Source: Coast Guard 03/14/19)