Rope failure to blame for 7 runaway barges

Port of Muskogee officials say a two-inch polycotton lock line unraveled, causing seven empty barges to float away from their moorings Monday evening. 

Wednesday, April 16th 2008, 1:42 pm

By: News 9


Port of Muskogee officials say a two-inch polycotton lock line unraveled, causing seven empty barges to float away from their moorings Monday evening. 

The barges floated downstream and into a U.S. Highway 62 bridge pier, causing authorities to close down the highway until a damage assessment could be made. 

Crews were able to roundup all of the barges and return them to the Port of Muskogee. 

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating. 

Steve Taylor, victim president of Johnston's Port 33, Inc. says the Coast Guard has ruled out vandalism or sabotage. 

The highway bridge was reopened to traffic about 8 hours after the incident Monday. 

The barge incident is eerily similar to another barge incident at the Webbers Falls I-40 bridge in which 14 people died in 2002. 

Related story:

4/14/2008  Runaway Barges Shut Down Bridge

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

April 16th, 2008

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024