MEMPHIS – The Coast Guard and local agencies re-commenced response efforts for a sunken tow vessel on the Lower Mississippi River near Memphis, Wednesday.
A Unified Command has been established consisting of U.S Coast Guard, Western Rivers Boat Management and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
The Mississippi River is open to one way traffic between mile markers 726 to 728.
A salvage plan has been reviewed to safely remove the sunken tow vessel. Ongoing preparations are currently in place.
Assets involved in the William Strait sinking:
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientific support coordinator
- A Coast Guard 25-foot Response Boat-Small crew
- Memphis Police Department
- Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
- Budwine & Associates
- McKinney Salvage and Heavy Lift
- Big River Shipbuilders and Salvage Inc.
- Environmental Safety and Health (ES&H)
“The Coast Guard is working very closely with other agencies to manage the risk associated with the recovery of the sunken vessel and minimize pollution in the process,” said Capt. Timothy Wendt, Commander, Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River.
The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.
