A barge operator has located a sunken barge in the Ohio River near Pittsburgh, one of 26 that broke loose during weekend flooding. The Campbell Transportation Company Inc. used sonar to identify the object in the river, believed to be their missing barge. As a result, the river has been closed to maritime traffic while salvage operations are underway.
Seventeen of the barges have been secured, while seven are positioned against the Emsworth Locks and Dam, and one is pinned against the Dashields Locks and Dam. The company is actively developing a recovery plan for all affected vessels, ensuring the safety of recovery workers, barges, and the public.
The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the incident to determine how the barges became loose from their moorings, causing damage to a bridge and marinas. Most of the barges were loaded with coal, fertilizer, and other dry cargo. The mishap occurred under high water conditions and strong currents due to flooding in the area.
Water levels on the Ohio River rose rapidly and then fell quickly, posing challenges for barge owners who must constantly adjust mooring ropes to secure their vessels. Despite the incident, no injuries were reported, and the Sewickley Bridge, which was struck during the event, showed no significant damage and was reopened to traffic.
Campbell Transportation Company Inc., based in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, manages over 1,100 barges and transports approximately 60 million tons of dry and liquid cargo annually. The barge incident follows the recent collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, which occurred when a cargo ship struck the bridge, resulting in the tragic deaths of six construction workers.
