Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: Dec. 9, 2009

Contact:
Lt. j.g. Ben Chamberlain
(412) 644-5808 ext. 2116

Coast Guard responds to vessel sinking on the Ohio River

PITTSBURGH –  Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh is investigating the sinking of a towing vessel that occurred on the Ohio River at mile marker 39.5 near Chester, W.Va.

At approximately 4 p.m. Wednesday, the Coast Guard received a call stating that the towing vessel Sam S., owned by Georgetown Sand and Gravel, sank after taking on waves driven by high winds.  The vessel sank approximately 70 feet from C & C Marine's fleeting area. 

The pilot of the Sam S. entered the water briefly and was safely recovered by a nearby towing vessel, the Laura S., owned by C & C Marine.  No injuries or deaths were reported.  

The Sam S. sank outside of the navigable channel and does not pose a hazard to navigation.  The vessel is reported to have approximately 500 gallons of fuel on board and a sheen has been reported coming from the sunken vessel.  The vessel’s owner is taking action to mitigate pollution from the incident.

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley is issuing a broadcast notice to mariners to advise mariners of the situation.     

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Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: Nov. 18, 2009

Contact: Lt. j.g. Douglas Kang
U.S. Coast Guard External Affairs
(412) 644-5808 ext. 2108

Coast Guard scheduled to establish safety zone on Allegheny River

PITTSBURGH — The U. S. Coast Guard is scheduled to establish a safety zone on the Allegheny River, Friday, in preparation for "Light Up Night" in Pittsburgh.

The safety zone will begin at mile marker 0.4, near the River Rescue and will end at mile marker 0.8, near the 16th Street bridge for the fireworks display. The safety zone is scheduled from 9:10 until 9:30 p. m.

All mariners are advised not to enter into, depart from or move within the safety zone unless specifically authorized by the U. S. Coast Guard captain of the port, Pittsburgh.

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Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: Oct. 19, 2009

Contact:  Lt. j.g. Kirk Beckmann
(618) 520-5247

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Coast Guard officials are continuing their investigation into the cause of Saturday's incident involving the Belle of Louisville’s allision with a dry-dock owned by McBride’s towing near Six Mile Island, and have made no determination concerning the cause or contributing factors that led to the incident.

The Coast Guard responded to the incident by dispatching investigators and a vessel inspection response team to assess the damage, interview witnesses and collect evidence. Coast Guard officials found that the Belle of Louisville had sustained damage to the bucket boards on the paddle-wheel along with damage to the jockey bar (the beam behind the paddlewheel).  Additionally, Coast Guard officials found a 4 foot by 4 foot puncture to the hull of the dry-dock. No other damages were reported.

An allision is a term of reference that is used when a moving object strikes a stationary object.  This is in contrast to a collision, where both objects are in motion when a strike occurs.

At the time of the incident, the Belle of Louisville was up-bound at mile-marker 596 on the Ohio River when it commenced its turn to the Kentucky side of the river to return to downtown Louisville. The wind was 15-20 mph from the north-northeast direction with a slight “chop” on the water.

The Coast Guard has placed operational vessel restrictions upon the Belle of Louisville to allow for dock-side operations only.  When the vessel is repaired the Coast Guard will again inspect the vessel to determine whether to allow it to operate normally. 

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Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: Oct. 17, 2009

Contact:  Lt. j.g. Kirk Beckmann
 (618) 520-5247 

Coast Guard responding to vessel allision involving Belle of Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Marine inspectors from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley are responding to a vessel allision involving the Belle of Louisville and another vessel near six mile island Saturday.

The Coast Guard received notification of the incident at approximatly 1:45 p.m. and immediately dispatched a Marine Vessel Investigation Team to the scene. Damages and injuries have been reported on both vessels and local emergency services have responded.

The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.

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Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: Aug. 5, 2009

Contact:  Lt. j.g. Kirk Beckmann
(502) 893-8186 ext. 2107 or (618) 520-5247

Coast Guard Activates Vessel Traffic Service

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Coast Guard activated the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) here, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009 restricting the mobility of mariners until water levels between Twelve Mile Island (mile 593) and McAlphine Lock and Dam (mile 606) recede.

VTS Louisville is activated when the water level at the upper gauge of McAlpine Dam is at 13 feet and rising. The VTS remains in operation until the water level falls below 13 feet. Restrictions apply to towing vessels of eight meters (approximately 26 feet) or more in length, passenger vessels certified to carry 50 or more passengers and power-driven recreational vessels measuring 20 meters (65 feet) or more in length.

During periods of high water, applicable vessels must check in and comply with VTS Louisville directions to ensure the safe routing of vessel traffic through the waterway. VTS Louisville broadcasts safety and vessel traffic information on marine band VHF-FM Channel 13 (156.650 MHz).

Recreational vessels less than 20 meters in length are exempt from VTS Louisville check-in procedures but must comply with any directions given by VTS Louisville.

All boaters are reminded to navigate with caution when near locks, dams and commercial vessels, and to always carry and use properly fitting Coast Guard approved life jackets.

The Coast Guard is continuing to monitor Ohio River stages to ensure the safe transit of all mariners through the affected area.  Additional safety information as well as VTS Louisville User Manuals can be downloaded from the following Web sites:

http://homeport.uscg.mil/ohiovalley

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/vts/vts_home.htm

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