Asphalt Barge M-53; Louisville, KY

Louisville, KY | 2006-Jan-26

Initial Notification: On January 26, 2006, a runaway barge "M-53" loaded with 19,500 barrels of asphalt allided against a railroad bridge on the Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky. The tug M/V Kelly Lee was heading down river with 3 asphalt barges when the breakaway occurred. Two of the barges were recovered, but one barge is trapped against the K&I Railroad Bridge at river mile 607.4. The USCG reports that the barge is lying on its side with the bottom of the barge against the bridge. The barge was also carrying 15,000 gallons of diesel used to keep the asphalt heated. An unknown amount of asphalt and diesel fuel has been released into the Ohio River. The river is closed to commercial traffic until the situation is resolved. The barge M-53 is owned by Magnolia Marine Transportation.