The Olmsted Locks and Dam on the Ohio River has reopened to navigation following a July 1 incident involving two vessels owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, that resulted in one capsizing and another listing on the bank.
The accident occurred around 8:50 a.m. central time during routine fleeting operations. No injuries were reported, and all personnel were accounted for. Local emergency responders arrived on scene but were able to stand down upon confirming all personnel safety, a USACE spokesperson told WorkBoat.
The two USACE vessels involved in the accident were the 82’x36’x11’ 2,000-hp Z-drive towboat, M/V Jackie Lee Anderson, and the 52’x22’x7.5’ 700-hp workboat, M/V 775. As of July 10, the Corps confirmed the Jackie Lee Anderson is currently listing on the Illinois riverbank, while the 775 remains capsized and submerged outside of the navigation channel.
Locking operations resumed shortly after the July 1 incident once it was confirmed that neither vessel was obstructing the navigation channel.
“Initial inspections show only cosmetic/superficial damage to tainter gate 1. The gate is functional and not impacting project operability,” the Corps spokesperson told WorkBoat.
USACE has awarded the salvage contract to Okie Moore Diving and Marine Salvage, Metropolis, Ill., with recovery operations expected to begin as early as the weekend of July 13. The operation is estimated to take up to one week.
The Corps noted that as of July 10, there have been no discharges from the vessels, though containment booms were deployed at the site as a precaution.
U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Paducah is supporting the investigation and monitoring the site for environmental impacts.
The Corps confirmed to WorkBoat that both vessels were performing “routine fleeting activities at the site” at the time of the incident, and that the investigation is still ongoing. The Coast Guard and Corps continue to coordinate closely on the investigation and recovery. Additional updates on the recovery efforts will be released as available.
WorkBoat reached out to the Coast Guard MSU Paducah for additional updates on the investigation.
