Hundreds of Barges Break Loose from the Port of St. Louis; Ten Barges Sink in Mississippi River

Posted in Barge Accidents,Missouri Maritime News on April 23, 2013

SOUTH ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO — According to the coast Guard, a total of 114 barges broke loose Sunday night, April 21, from the Port of St. Louis where the rushing Mississippi caused more than a hundred barges to break free causing the J.B. Bridge to shut down temporarily. A total of 10 barges sank into the Mississippi River.

Hundreds of barges break loose from the Port of St. Louis on April 21, 2013.

J.B. Marine told FOX 2 that the barges were parked in groups. When one broke loose it bumped into another barge knocking it loose. Those barges knocked into other barges creating a domino effect.

KPLR reports:

Barges were scattered up and down the river, as far south as the Meramec River. The Mississippi River is running high and fast which allowed the barges to travel quickly downstream.

It is estimated that as many as four barges struck the J.B. Bridge, which is designed to be able to take such hits. But to be safe, MoDOT shut the bridge down for a time to conduct an inspection.

Crews spent the day working to round up all of the wayward barges.

Blog post by barge injury lawyer Gordon, Elias & Seely, LLP