Tug Debra Ann; Mississippi Sound, MS

Mississippi Sound, MS | 2004-Feb-23

Initial Notification: On the evening of 23 February 2004, the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator was notified by the HAZMAT Duty Officer that a tug and barge tow were adrift in Mississippi Sound and that USCG MSO Mobile was requesting trajectory support. Apparently, the Tug DEBRA ANN had lost power. The USCG responded removed the crew for safety and placed a line on the tow. The local weather was poor and expected to degrade. No assist tug responded before the line separated and the tug and tow were lost at approximately N30 deg 14.9' Latitude W 088 deg 49.6' Longitude at 1615 hrs (local time). The tow consisted of four concrete barges. The tug was reported to have 6,200 gallons of red dyed diesel aboard. The tug and tow went missing and overflights were conducted to search for them.