Maltese-Flagged Bulker in Multiple Vessel Collision

The United States Coast Guard is investigating a multiple vessel collision on the Mississippi River near Gretna, early Wednesday.

Watchstanders with Coast Guard Sector New Orleans command center received a report, late Tuesday evening, that the Maltese-flagged vessel Flag Gangos lost power and steering near mile marker 97.4 on the Lower Mississippi River. The Flag Gangos collided with the Liberian-flagged vessel Pamisos and the barge Web 235, both moored at the International Matex Tank Terminals conducting transfer operations.

The crew of the towing vessel Capt. Shawn D. Martinez was transferring number six fuel oil from the barge when the barge broke free causing some oil to be discharged into the river from the transfer hose. The hose was shut off immediately following the incident.

Responders on scene deployed boom in the area of the incident. Both the vessel Pamisos and the barge sustained damage, no injuries were reported.

Coast Guard Captain of the Port, New Orleans, has reopened the Mississippi River to all traffic transiting around the International Matex Tank Terminals (IMTT) between mile marker 96 and mile marker 98, on Wednesday at 2 p.m.

“The disabled vessel, Flag Gangos, is no longer impeding traffic. The slow-bell requirement is still in effect in the vicinity of the IMTT facility,” USCG said.

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Press Release, August 14, 2014; Image: IMTTI