Barges sink on Hudson River

Barges sink on Hudson River The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the grounding and sinking of two barges on the Hudson River near the Bear Mountain Bridge on Tuesday.
   Two barges broke free from a tow of 13 scows being moved south on the Hudson River by the Tug Buchanan at around 4 a.m.
   The Coast Guard said the tug master reported that one barge lost most of its cargo of crushed stone after breaking free of the tug. It drifted, took on water and then overturned 1.5 miles down river, and remains partially submerged on the west bank of the Hudson northwest of Iona Island, N.Y. The other barge, remains partially submerged with its entire cargo one-half mile north of the bridge in the vicinity of buoy 33.
   The Coast Guard said there is no report of pollution and no reported injuries.
   Buchanan Marine dispatched contracted divers from RandDive and Donjon Marine Cos. to determine the condition of the two barges. Once the dive survey is complete, Buchanan will submit a salvage plan to the Coast Guard Captain of the Port to refloat and move the two barges.
   The Coast Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers determined that the two submerged barges pose no threat to incoming traffic on the waterways. Buchanan Marine set markers in the water near the submerged vessels to alert passing mariners.
   “Though these barges and their cargo pose no immediate threat to transiting mariners on the river, boaters should still take caution and keep a keen eye on the water when transiting the vicinity of Bear Mountain Bridge,” said Lt. j.g. Kathryn Campagnini, Coast Guard Sector New York command duty watch officer.
   The other 11 barges arrived safely in New York Harbor.