Breakaway Barge Hits Dredge On Ohio River 

No one was injured, but a dredge was hit August 13 when 11 barges broke away from their tow.

“Our understanding is that when a towing vessel was transiting in that area, there were some pretty aggressive currents from the high water and rain we’ve had in the area,” said Lt. Connor Sullivan, public affairs officer for Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley. “One of the lines on that towing vessel parted, causing the barges to break away.”

The Coast Guard was notified by marine radio of the incident at 8:37 a.m., Sullivan said. It took place on the Ohio River, just upstream from the Milton-Madison Bridge, which connects Milton, Ky., with Madison, Ind., at Ohio River Mile 557.

Sullivan said that while the Coast Guard investigation is ongoing, he could not release the names of either the towing vessel or the dredge.

Carroll County, Ky., Emergency Medical Service/Emergency Management Agency praised the quick barge roundup from five vessels in thea area, calling it amazing.

One crewman was on a barge when it broke away but was quickly rescued using a skiff, Sullivan said.

All barges were reported as recovered by 11:33 a.m.

Sullivan said the river itself was never closed, but transportation officials closed the Milton-Madison Bridge, which carries U.S. 421, until the loose barges were gathered.

Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., had posted a message to social media on August 12, warning about the rapid rise of water levels over the next seven to 10 days and urging all vessel operators and recreational boaters on the Ohio River to “exercise extreme caution.”

“The upper reaches of the Ohio River Valley are forecast to receive heavy amounts of rain in the coming days,” the post read. “High water can create unpredictable and hazardous conditions, including significantly increased current speeds and dangerous drift fields.”

The post also suggested monitoring current and forecast river gauges, maintaining a sharp lookout, making sure to wear personal floatation devices (PFDs) and monitoring marine channel 16 for any updates.