A tugboat named the Patrick J. Studdert sank in the Mississippi River after colliding with a tanker ship near the Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge in Luling, Louisiana, on Sunday night (December 29). The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the incident, but the river remains open for navigation.
St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne reported that all crew members from the tugboat were rescued following the collision. The tanker was traveling upriver when it struck the tugboat, causing it to sink in a section of the river that is 90 feet deep. Emergency medical personnel evaluated the crew, and they were ready to transport them to a hospital if needed.
Parish officials noted measures were taken to ensure that drinking water was safe following the crash. The Coast Guard plans to assess any potential environmental impacts from the accident site, which is located about 23 miles west of New Orleans.
“Upon notification of the incident, the downstream water intake was closed to ensure drinking water remained safe to consume. Air and water surveys are taking place from the incident scene to Mile Marker 115 at the Parish Line to monitor quality,” authorities wrote on Facebook.
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