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The towboat, Limestone Lady, was pushing 14 barges on the Mississippi River when they ran aground on the New Orleans riverfront near the French Quarter.
The incident occurred shortly after 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June21. It was raining with high winds when the accident occurred; the tug was positioned properly, but the tow and barges could not make the turn up the Mississippi River and the barges struck the rocks in front of the levee.
The towboat lost power and another tow helped keep the barges in place until power was restored.
River traffic controllers watched the accident happen from the traffic control center on Algiers Point. Officials say the tow operator did a commendable job in preventing injury to others. He moved the tug and barges into the safest position possible and no property damage, injuries or pollution occurred.
It is not known whether the power loss or the weather or another cause was responsible for the Mississippi River accident. The accident is still under investigation.
Working on a tug boat or barge is dangerous. Every day maritime workers are injured or lose their lives in similar accidents. If you have been injured in an accident on the Mississippi River, contact a New Orleans maritime injury attorney to discuss your rights.
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