MV Bethesda-Barge MMI-612; Helena, AR at Helena Bridge on Miss R.

Helena, AR at Helena Bridge on Miss R. | 2011-Mar-17

Initial Notification: NOAA ERD Duty Officer received a call that during the early morning of 17Mar2011 that the Towboat-Barge combination struck the Hwy 46 Mississippi R. Bridge at Helena, AR resulting in a 50 ft. long gash in the starboard side of the barge, and puncturing the #3 starboard cargo tank. This tank contained approximately 2950BBL of aviation alkyates. The towboat/barge combination continued down river 3 miles and has been secured to the right descending bank of the river. An unknown amount of the material has been released into the river but as of this morning, all but 1116BBL have been lightered from the damaged cargo tank. NOAA ERD is providing scientific support to the USCG Sector Lower Mississippi for safety and environmental issues. Major concern is safety, not environmental. Flash point of alkylate is 20F according to Flat Hills Research MSDS.