Barges collide on Mississippi River
WESTWEGO, La. (WVUE) - Barges pushed by two tugboats collided on the Mississippi River in Westwego near mile marker 103 Wednesday night (Feb. 13), according to the Jefferson Parish Fire Department communication center.
The incident was reported at 6:45 p.m., and it closed the waterway from mile marker 101 to 106, said U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Brandon Giles. The cause of the collision is under investigation, but Giles said one of the vessels may have lost steering. The river has since reopened.
The vessels M.S. Dixie and the DNR Bovine were pushing a total of 14 barges carrying dry goods. All of the barges were accounted for after the crash. A clutch fire was reported on one of the vessels, according to fire officials, but it was extinguished.
No one was injured.
Both tugs are now moored in Westwego.
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