Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: May. 01, 2008

Contact:  Lt. j.g. Christian Barger
(314) 269-2573

COAST GUARD RESPONDS TO BARGE BREAKAWAY

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Coast Guard is responding to a five barge breakaway on the Mississippi River, today.

At approximately 1 a.m. five barges broke free from the Matteson Marine facility in Burlington, Iowa striking the Highway 34 and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad bridges.

As of 10:30 a.m., four of the barges have been secured and the fifth barge remains wedged against the Burlington Railroad Drawbridge at mile marker 403 on the Upper Mississippi River.

Investigators from Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment (MSD) Quad Cities in Rock Island, Ill., arrived on-scene to conduct an investigation into the cause of the incident.

The Coast Guard is working with the owners of the barges, Matteson Marine, and railroad representatives to safely coordinate recovery efforts of the fifth barge.

The cause of the incident remains under investigation.

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U.S. Coast Guard - Saving lives since 1790