Sunken barge carrying caustic soda; Mississippi River, mile marker 81
Mississippi River, mile marker 81 | 2011-Oct-30
Initial Notification: At ~0200 on 10/30/2011, a barge carrying a 50% solution of caustic soda (NAOH) grounded and sank near mile marker 81 on the Mississippi River near the Grand Tower boat ramp south of Chester IL. At the time of notification, the exact amount aboard was unknown, but was described as "fully loaded". It is not thought to be leaking. USCG MSU Paducah contacted the SSC for information regarding the chemical nature and safety considerations of NAOH.
Incident Details
| Primary threat: | Chemical |
| Products of concern: | 50% solution of Sodium Hydroxide |
| Latitude (approximate): | 37° 39.01′ North |
| Longitude (approximate): | 89° 30.92′ West |