Coast Guard closes Mississippi River

DATE: April 01, 2008 10:17:46 CST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Office of External Affairs U.S. Coast Guard

Press Release	Date: April 1, 2008 Contact: PA3 Jaclyn Young (618) 225-9008
COAST GUARD CLOSES MISSISSIPPI RIVER
VICKSBURG, Miss. - The Coast Guard has closed the Mississippi River to all maritime traffic from mile marker 422 to 440 here at approximately 12:30 a.m., today. The closure is a result of a sunken barge resulting from an allision between the towing vessel, Ray A Eckstein, managed by Marquette Transportation Co. Inc. and the Vicksburg's Hwy 80 Bridge. The barge was carrying steel coil. Barges in the area have been secured to the bank or to other tows. The Coast Guard is working with the Army Corps of Engineers to find the exact position of the sunken barge so the river can be reopened for commercial traffic. The incident is under investigation. ### *U.S. Coast Guard - Saving lives since 1790*