Ship runs aground on Mississippi River

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard is responding to a container ship that ran aground near Mile Marker 81 of the Mississippi River on the morning of March 27. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a call at 3:20 a.m. that the Liberian-flagged container ship Belita had run aground. CGS New Orleans’ vessel traffic service has placed a one-way traffic restriction in the immediate area. “Our top priority in this incident is the safe recovery of this vessel, while protecting the marine environment,” said Capt. Kristi Luttrell, CGS New Orleans commanding officer. There were no reports of pollution or injury. The cause of the incident is under investigation. (Source: Coast Guard 03/27/20)