Update2: CG reopens GIW

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard responded to a report of a towing vessel that ran aground on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway at Mile Marker 99, near Berwick, La. Vessel Traffic Service Berwick Bay received a report at 10 p.m., Feb. 2, that the towing vessel Miss Odessa, carrying six hopper barges filled with rock, ran aground. Miss Odessa was reportedly transiting south-bound on the Atchafalaya River when it turned west onto the GICW and hit bottom. The Miss Odessa, in an attempt to break free, tore apart the barge, causing the barge to split in half. Marine Safety Unit Morgan City’s marine inspections and investigations teams arrived at 8:30 a.m., Feb. 3, to assess the incident. The response teams reported no damage to Miss Odessa or the barges. No pollution has been reported in the area. The towing company has hired a salvage company to assist the salvage of the barge. A CG salvage engineering response team is also assisting. (Source: Coast Guard 02/03/20) Update: The CG continues to monitor salvage operations on Feb. 6. Recovery of the vessel involves removing over 1,600 tons of the aggregate rock cargo, followed by the heavily damaged steel barge, while working in a challenging waterway location. A queue of vessels awaiting transit as of 1:30 p.m., Thursday included more than 190 towing vessels and 560 barges. Salvagers removed more than 80 percent of cargo by Thursday morning. The location of the wreck was at a critical point along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIW), adjacent to the intersection with the Atchafalaya River, a meeting point for two major shipping channels, according to Lt. Cmdr. Zach Robertson, prevention department head at CG Marine Safety Unit Morgan City. Weekend's weather forecast is favorable for salvage operations. Based off current traffic forecasts and queue estimates, the CG expects it will take an additional three to four days after the waterway is reopened to move those vessels through the waterway and get back to normal operations. (CG 02/06/20) Update2: The Coast Guard reopened the Intracoastal Waterway near Berwick to vessel traffic Feb. 7 after salvage operations were completed.