The U.S. Coast Guard reopened the Ohio River in Pittsburgh to maritime traffic after 26 barges broke loose over the weekend during flooding. The Coast Guard had previously closed a stretch of the river north of the city after the barges got loose from their moorings and caused damage to a bridge and marinas. One barge sank and was located by sonar on Tuesday, allowing navigation to be restored in the area. The barge operator, Campbell Transportation Company Inc., began salvaging the other barges, with five already removed from the Emsworth Locks and Dam.
Gary Statler, the company’s senior vice president for river operations, stated that they will continue to implement their recovery plan for the remaining affected vessels while prioritizing safety for recovery workers, the public, and the barges. The Coast Guard is conducting an investigation into how the barges became loose, with most of them being loaded with coal, fertilizer, and other dry cargo. The incident occurred under high water conditions and strong currents due to flooding in the area. Water levels on the Ohio River rose rapidly and fell just as quickly, according to Matt Brown, chief of the Allegheny County Department of Emergency Services.
Barge owners are aware of the risks associated with high water conditions and must constantly adjust the ropes holding their vessels in place, according to Brown. He mentioned that mariners need to be proactive and make adjustments hour by hour during such times to prevent incidents like the barge mishap in Pittsburgh. Fortunately, no injuries were reported from the incident, and an inspection of the Sewickley Bridge revealed no significant damage, allowing it to be reopened to traffic on Saturday. Campbell Transportation Company, based in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, owns and manages over 1,100 barges and moves millions of tons of dry and liquid cargo annually.
The barge incident in Pittsburgh occurred more than two weeks after the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was hit by a cargo ship, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers. The reopening of the Ohio River in Pittsburgh marks a significant step towards normalizing maritime traffic in the area after the barge mishap led to temporary closures and disruptions in navigation. The Coast Guard’s ongoing investigation will provide insights into the causes of the incident and help prevent similar occurrences in the future. Maritime safety remains a top priority for both industry operators and authorities to ensure the protection of lives and resources.
