NEW ORLEANS — A towing vessel ran aground and broke apart trying to break free, splitting a barge in half Sunday night near Morgan City, a Coast Guard spokesperson said.
Vessel Traffic Berwick Bay members on watch got a report around 10 p.m. Sunday that said towing vessel Miss Odessa carrying six barges filled with rock ran aground.
The Miss Odessa was turning west from the Atchafalaya River onto the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway when one of six barges it was towing hit bottom.
A marine inspections and investigations teams got to the scene Monday morning and reported no damage to the Miss Odessa or the other five barges it was towing.
The Coast Guard spokesperson said no injuries were reported, and towing vessel traffic in the area has been stopped, holding up 40 boats from reaching their destinations as of 2:30 p.m. Monday.
A salvage company has been hird to help recover the barge; a Coast Guard salvage engineering team will be helping as well.
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