Ships Collide Near Mile 124 On Lower Mississippi River

The U.S. Coast Guard received a report around 5 p.m. March 23 of a collision between two deep-draft vessels near Mile 124 on the Lower Mississippi River.

The collision occurred between the mv. Pac Dubhe, a Singapore-flagged cargo ship, and the mv. African Buzzard, a cargo ship sailing under the flag of the Bahamas, as the two vessels were passing one another.

“Initial damage assessments report that both vessels have damage near the areas of impact,” said Anthony Randisi, public affairs specialist with the Coast Guard’s Heartland District. “The Pac Dubhe had a hole under the waterline that has since been stabilized, and they are not taking on any water at this time.

“No nearby facilities are reported to be damaged,” Randisi added, “as well as no injuries or environmental impacts reported at this time.”

In a March 25 press release, the Coast Guard stated the African Buzzard was aground, with that vessel’s anchor lodged in the front of the Pac Dubhe. By March 26, Coast Guard Sector New Orleans issued a moving safety zone for the two ships, with the Pac Dubhe transiting to the Bonnet Carré Anchorage and the African Buzzard shifting to Associated Terminal’s facility at Mile 90.5.

There were no injuries reported and no environmental impact.

The Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board are jointly investigating the cause of the collision.