Tug Grounds Near Petit Bois Island

The Coast Guard is responding to a report of a grounded tug taking on water outside Horn Island Pass near the western side of Petit Bois Island Friday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Ala., received a report that the uninspected towing vessel Martha T grounded at approximately 4 a.m. with five people aboard while making its way inside the channel of Horn Island Pass. The Martha T was pushing two empty red-flag barges. The barges are not grounded with the vessel. Though grounded, the vessel is not in any danger of sinking.

There are no reports of pollution, and the five people reported no injuries or medical concerns.

A Coast Guard Station Pascagoula boatcrew responded with a dewatering pump to assist with any potential flooding, if necessary.

A pollution response and investigation team from Sector Mobile attended the vessel to conduct damage assessments, and an overflight was conducted to look at the sheen.

The Coast Guard is working closely with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Gulf Island National Seashore, Jackson County Emergency Management and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration to respond and mitigate any potential harm to the environment.

The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.

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Source: http://www.uscgnews.com