2 Boats Swept Through Olmsted Tainter Gate
The Ohio River closed briefly July 1 after two Louisville Engineer District boats were swept through the tainter gate at Olmsted Locks and Dam (Ohio River Mile 964.4) after one lost power during routine fleeting activities.
No one was injured, although one of the boats overturned with a crewmember aboard before he made his way to the surface, Pulaski County (Ill.) Emergency Management Agency Director Ken Kerley said. Kerley added that crewmembers were rescued from the water but were reportedly OK.
Louisville District Chief of Public Affairs Katelyn Newton said the mv. Jackie Lee Anderson was transiting toward the wicket dam about 8:50 a.m. when, for unknown reasons that are still under investigation, it lost power.
“The mv. 775 workboat attempted to assist by pushing it back upriver,” Newton said.
The mv. 775 was able to push the mv. Jackie Lee Anderson against the river wall long enough for the crew to evacuate. However, the current continued to push both vessels downstream.
“Ultimately, both vessels were overcome by the current and swept through the tainter gate on the dam,” Newton said.
The Jackie Lee Anderson was listing on the Illinois bank of the river, and the 775 was capsized below the dam, she said.
“We are coordinating with salvage companies to safely retrieve the vessels,” said Brad Stout, the Louisville Engineer District’s chief of locks and dams, adding that he was grateful to the local responding agencies that assisted at the scene.
Margaret McBryde, a public affairs officer for Coast Guard District 8, said the initial report to the Coast Guard was of multiple people in the water.
“Local agencies rescued all persons in the water,” she said.
The Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Unit from Paducah arrived on the scene and reported, “Two vessels were capsized and not blocking the channel.”
Both vessels were reportedly taking on water, but no injuries, pollution, navigational hazards or waterway impacts were reported, McBryde said.
The Jackie Lee Anderson is a 2,000 hp. Z-drive towboat that accommodates a crew of up to 14. When christened in 2023, the Louisville District said the boat was to be used to maneuver the wicket lifters, crane barges and a washdown barge used to ensure navigation, maintenance and repairs at the locks and dam.
Newton said the Louisville District was looking into various options to work in conjunction with the wicket raising and lowering barge to maneuver the wickets for now, including chartering vessels or using other Corps assets for those purposes.
The dam’s wickets were raised on June 30, and Newton said the Corps did not anticipate any need for additional movements based on current forecasts.
