Towboat Sinks on Mississippi River

The Coast Guard, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Alton Fire Department responded to the sinking of a towing vessel on the Mississippi River near Wood River, Illinois, Friday.

Watchstanders with Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River received a report that the towing vessel JR 3 sank at mile marker 197.5 on the Mississippi River near the Phillips 66 Facility. The vessel had a maximum potential of 2,200 gallons of diesel fuel aboard when it sank. The Alton Fire Department arrived on scene and deployed more than 200 feet of boom around the vessel with assistance from Phillips 66 and Heritage Environmental Services. 

The vessel is owned by Upper Missouri River Commercial Contractors, LLC of Omaha, Nebraska. The responsible party is working on a salvage plan for the vessel.

The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.

There were no injuries reported.

Photo: Mississippi River sunset, submitted by Andrew Barr