Texas; Mile 43.4, Upper Mississippi River, Missouri/Illinois

Mile 43.4, Upper Mississippi River, Missouri/Illinois | 1986-Mar-07

Initial Notification: On March 7, 1986, the Tank Barges Kansas and Texas, under tow from the M/V Edwin L. Kennedy, ran aground on the Grand Chain Rocks at Upper Mississippi river mile 43.4 while en route to Garyville, Louisiana. The tow consisted of eight barges, all loaded with western crude oil. Texas and Kansas were the two barges at the front of the tow which included six other barges. The grounding occurred shortly after the pilot had navigated to clear the Thebes Railroad Bridge. While the Kansas appeared undamaged, the Texas sustained heavy damage to the bottom of its number 1-6 starboard and 1-3 port cargo tanks. USCG Group Upper Mississippi River was notified of the incident at 0308. Early attempts to rig boom around the damaged barge failed due to rapid currents and river conditions. Ingram Barge Company of Nashville, Tennessee, the owner/operator of the M/V Edwin L. Kennedy and the Texas, hired Paducah Mutual Assistance Association (PMAA) as the primary cleanup contractor. The owner representative also participated in overflights to provide a better summary of the situation. Lightering operations of the Kansas began at 1400. By 0800, March 8, this barge floated free with no apparent damage. Lightering of the Texas began on March 8. At 1420, March 9, the barge was free and repositioned at mile 43.4 left descending bank. By 1615, the barge was drafting approximately five feet after ballasting. No evidence of further pollution was noted. After a Permit to Proceed was issued to the Texas, the barge was allowed to continue on to New Orleans for offloading and repairs. Simpson Environmental Services of Port Natchez, Texas, was brought in as a second cleanup contractor. Soundings taken on March 12 revealed 17,055 barrels of oil were missing from the Texas. Cleanup operations were completed by March 28. USCG district 9. Keyword: Boom, sorbents..