The Coast Guard has closed the Mississippi River between mile markers 115 and 122 after a vessel allided with the Hale Memorial Boggs Bridge on Sunday.
Allision is a violent striking (such as in a collision) with a fixed object. This is in contrast with “vessel contact” with a fixed object such as would be made with bridge fenders in the ordinary course of say a tug and barge passing under a bridge.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at approximately 1:30 a.m. Sunday that the ITV Cooperative Spirit, pushing 29 grain barges downriver, allided with the bridge.
No injuries, pollution or damage to the bridge was reported.
Of the 29 barges, 26 have been recovered, two have sunk, and one is still unaccounted for while inspectors search the area.
The cause of the allision is under investigation.
