Coast Guard responds to vessel collision, closes portion of Mississippi River

VICKSBURG, Miss. — The Coast Guard has closed the Mississippi River between mile marker 407 and 397 due to a collision between two towing vessels near St. Joseph, La., Tuesday.

At approximately 12 a.m., Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River was notified by the captain of the vessel Hank Tulodzieski, a 184-foot towing vessel, that his vessel and the vessel Tiny Sanderson, an 81-foot towing vessel, collided at mile marker 406, approximately 30 miles south of Vicksburg.

The collision resulted in one barge, carrying scrap steel, sinking and another carrying Petroleum Coke being set adrift. The adrift barge was recovered by the towing vessel Dixie Leader.

No other damage, pollution or injuries have been reported. The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.


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