Hopper Barge; Chesapeake Bay, Virginia

Chesapeake Bay, Virginia | 1991-Apr-12

Initial Notification: On April 12, 1991, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Safety Office (MSO) Hampton Roads was notified that a 195-foot hopper barge was taking on water near the mouth of the Rappahannock River in Chesapeake Bay. The barge was carrying approximately 1,637 tons of ammonium sulfate, an ingredient in commercial fertilizers. On-scene USCG responders reported that the barge had sunk by the stern and that stern was on the bottom in 28 feet of water; the bow was approximately 35 feet above the water, but sinking; and ammonium sulfate was leaking into the bay. USCG district 5.