Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: March 13, 2008

Contact: Lt. Duane Lemmon
(270) 442-1621

COAST GUARD RESPONDS TO GROUNDED BARGES 

PADUCAH, Ky - Coast Guard personnel from the Marine Safety Unit in Paducah, Ky., are responding with the city of Sturgis and Union County Emergency Management Officials to 12 barges that ran aground today at approximately mile marker 871 on the Ohio River near the water intake facility for the city of Sturgis, Ky. 

The Coast Guard was notified at approximately 11:00 a.m. Thursday by the Tow Vessel Andrew Cannava  that their barges had ran aground.

The vessel's owner is making efforts to mitigate the effects. Notifications to public water intakes in the vicinity have been completed; county and city officials have confirmed that the city water intakes are functioning normally.  Damage to the water intake will not be known until the barges are removed and an underwater inspection is completed.  The Coast Guard is investigating the cause & circumstance surrounding the grounding.  No pollution has been reported and river traffic remains unaffected.

For additional information, contact Lt. Duane Lemmon, at (270) 442-1621 Ext. 2114.

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U.S. Coast Guard - Saving lives since 1790