More than two dozen barges broke loose in Pittsburgh, drifting in an “uncontrolled” manner down the Ohio River. The incident occurred at around 11:25 p.m. on a Friday, with 26 barges breaking free from a facility near Peggy’s Harbor, a marina on the northern bank of the river. Twenty-three of the barges were loaded with dry cargo, such as coal, while three were empty. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or pollution, but Peggy’s Harbor suffered extensive damage as a result of the incident.
Following the breakaway, eleven of the barges became pinned against the river bank near Brunot Island, while fourteen drifted down the river and six passed over the Emsworth Dam. The impact of the barges passing over the dam is unknown at this time. In response to the incident, both bridge and rail traffic were temporarily halted. As of approximately 3 p.m. on Saturday, all but one of the barges had been located, with officials still searching for the missing vessel before conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident.
The U.S. Coast Guard has been working to address the situation, with spokesperson Eyobe Mills stating that the missing barge must be located before moving forward with the investigation. Campbell Transportation Company, the owner of the barges, has not yet provided a comment on the incident. However, the company did mention to KDKA that they are collaborating with authorities in dealing with the aftermath. They noted that the incident occurred under high water conditions on the rivers, resulting in strong currents due to flooding in the area.
The City of Pittsburgh has been working to assess the extent of the damage caused by the loose barges, as well as coordinating with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of the public and the environment. The incident has highlighted the potential risks associated with maritime transportation and the importance of having proper safety measures in place to prevent such occurrences in the future. Efforts are ongoing to secure the remaining barge and conduct a thorough investigation to determine the factors that led to the breakaway and implement necessary measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
Overall, the situation remains fluid as officials work to address the aftermath of the loose barges in Pittsburgh. As more information becomes available, the investigation will be able to proceed in determining the cause of the incident and identifying any necessary changes to maritime transportation practices. The impact on the local community, infrastructure, and environment will also need to be addressed as part of the recovery efforts following the unexpected breakaway of the barges on the Ohio River.
