River Dance: Grounding Triggers Breakaway Barges

© kikimor / Adobe Stock
It was a beautiful mid-summer afternoon in the nation’s heartland. The skies were clear, the sun was shining and the variable southwest breeze barely caused a ripple on the muddy water of the winding river. Optimistic fishermen lined the riverbanks and a few recreational boaters were cruising close to the floating docks lining both shores.
This tranquil scene on this busy waterway was about to change…and quickly.
A parting of the ways
About a half mile upriver, a 95-foot tug was proceeding southbound on a slow bell with two barges made up end-to-end along her starboard side. The tow was proceeding at a speed of 3-4 knots with the tide beginning to flood and a light southwesterly wind. Suddenly, the wind unexpectedly turned gusty and, combined with the flooding tide, pushed the tow to port and out of the navigable channel where the tug grounded in the soft, muddy river bottom.

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