Mv. Tom Bussler Capsizes On Tennessee River

The Coast Guard responded January 8 to a sunken towing vessel, the mv. Tom Bussler, near the Kentucky Lock and Dam on the Tennessee River.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley received a report at approximately 10 p.m. January 7 that the inspected towing vessel Tom Bussler capsized at Mile 15 on the river.

The 1,000 hp. Tom Bussler is owned by McGinnis Inc., South Point, Ohio, and was built in 1968 by Humboldt Boat Service in St. Louis, Mo.

The mv. George Leavell—owned by Wepfer Marine of Calvert City LLC in Memphis, Tenn.—recovered the two crewmembers who were on board and transferred them to Calvert City Landing, where they were transported to Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Ky., in stable condition.

The Tom Bussler had approximately 4,100 gallons of diesel on board. There have been no reports of oil sheening in the water. A Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Paducah 29-foot response boat was on scene.

The Kentucky Lock and Dam at Mile 22 on the Tennessee River ceased locking operations due to the sunken vessel but was reopened to one-way traffic January 9. McGinnis Marine developed a salvage plan for the vessel that began January 10.