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Day: April 27, 2011

Ohio River Barges

Ohio River Barges

A towboat on the Ohio River had 4 barges break free downstream of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvannia when it was preparing to enter the Emsworth Lock.   Three of the barges floated until they weree pressed up against a railroad bridge on Neville Island.  One barge loaded with steel coils sank allowing another barge loaded with coal to float further downstream until it got hung up on a channel that is part of Emsworth Dam.  Hazardous Materials teams were deployed as one barge containing light crude oil containing benzene.   Bridge traffic was suspended and 1,000 students were evacuated as a precaution.   Crews later were able to secure the barge with light crude oil and one other with a cargo of coal.  Reports state the safety wires broke due to the strong current of the river due to the high water and recent rain in the area.    Reports state that there was no release of pollution and the railroad bridge did not sustain any damage.

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HQ 280 Tucana Sinks

HQ 280 Tucana Sinks

The 33 meter long 264 ton fishing vessel HG 280 Tucana was fishing off  Hirtshals, Denmark when water was discovered in the engine room.   The four crewmen on board started the pumps to control the water ingress.   However, the pumps could not keep up and the crew prepared to abandon ship.   The men put their survival suits on and inflated the liferaft from the wheelhouse.   They proceeded to the liferaft leaving personal items behind on the fishing vessel.  The 4 men watched the HG 280 Tucana sink below the waves.   Luckily, the crew was rescued an hour later by the fishing vessel Kjølpens.    A rescue helicopter was also on scene, but turned back as the 4 men were safely aboard the Kjølpens.  The Denmark Navy vessel Rota is monitoring for pollution at the position where the Tucana sank.

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Socol 3 Disabled

Socol 3 Disabled

The 9,500 dwt freighter Socol 3 was reported disabled in the Aegean Sea off Kea Island, Greece.  The vessel suffered a mechanical failure while bound for Venezuela with general cargo including explosives.   Authorities on Kea Island denied Socol 3 to the harbor until a survey could be carried out.   The Socol-3 was towed to Lavrion, Greece for repairs.  No reports of injuries or pollution being released.

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