AMERICAN HERITAGE

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Barge capsized after tug collision

The Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report of a collision between the "American Heritage" and the "David G. Sehrt" near Vacherie in the early afternoon of July 2, 2015. The collision resulted in several barges breaking loose; one barge, loaded with caustic soda, overturned but was out of the navigable waterway on the right descending bank, while the others were safely recovered. The overturned barge released an unknown amount of caustic soda solution into the waterway. The worst case discharge would be 23,672 gallons. This product will dissipate and neutralize soon after entering the water, posing minimal risk in the immediate vicinity of the barge. Coast Guard and local responders were monitoring the incident. The river remained open to all traffic. The Coast Guard was investigating the cause of the incident.