MISSISSIPPI RIVER CLOSED TO ALL VESSEL TRAFFIC AFTER TOWBOAT ACCIDENT

DATE: April 15, 2007 19:09:05 CST

Office of External Affairs U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release	Date: April 15, 2007 Contact: Lt.j.g. Christian Barger (314) 269-2573
MISSISSIPPI RIVER CLOSED TO ALL VESSEL TRAFFIC AFTER TOWBOAT ACCIDENT
ST. LOUIS - The Coast Guard has closed the Upper Mississippi River today from mile marker 130 to 144, to all vessel traffic due to a towboat accident which resulted in one sunken barge and 6 others damaged. At approximately 4 a.m. today, the towboat John Paul Eckstein, lost power and ran its 25 barge tow into a dock near mile marker 144, approximately 20 miles above St. Genevieve, MO. As a result of the accident, the tow broke apart and all 25 barges were set adrift. All of the barges, except one were recovered. The Coast Guard will reopen vessel traffic in the affected area upon location of the sunken barge and once the channel is cleared and safe for vessel traffic transit. Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River is working with the vessel owner, Marquette Transportation, and the US Army Corps of Engineers to locate the sunken barge. Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River is investigating the cause of the accident. ###