Simmsport Barge Fire; Simmsport, LA

Simmsport, LA | 2000-Feb-25

Initial Notification: At 0100 on 25 February Coast Guard MSO New Orleans received a report that four tank barges pushed by the M/V Melinda Brent allided with the Simmesport R/R bridge located at mile 4.9 on the Atchafalaya River. Location is 30 degrees 58.8 minutes North, 091 degrees 47.9 minutes West. The four barges have broken loose from the towboat and three are on fire. Barges are lashed together and are located at mile 14.5. Total product onboard (unconfirmed) the four barges is 70,000 bbl (2,940,000 gallons) of gasoline. Weather on scene - temperature 66 deg F, winds 10 mph from NE with gusts to 15 mph, chance of showers, foggy, current estimated at 5 mph. USCG district 8.