Towing vessel sinks in Mississippi River

A reported 60 gallons of oil entered the water, but there was no active discharge of oil from the DeJeanne Maria, the Coast Guard said.

   The U.S. Coast Guard responded early Monday morning to a towing vessel that sank in the lower Mississippi River after striking a submerged object.
   The Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders received a report about 2 a.m. that the DeJeanne Maria sank in Pass a Loutre, a wildlife management area located near Venice, La. The towing vessel was pushing two empty dry cargo barges downbound on the river at the time of the incident, the Coast Guard said.
   All three people aboard the DeJeanne Maria were transferred to the towing vessel Supporter 1, and an assist tug was sent to retrieve the barges.
   The Coast Guard said the DeJeanne Maria, a 55-foot long towing vessel operated by Denet Towing Service, is submerged with its port side above the water.
   The vessel had a maximum potential of 7,000 gallons of oil on board with a reported 60 gallons having entered the water, according to the Coast Guard. An ES&H air drone and Coast Guard overflight observed no active oil discharge.
   The incident came about a month after the towing vessel Michelle Anne sank in the Mississippi River near the Baton Rouge General Anchorage.