RC CREPPEL

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Search for miissing crew members suspended

The US Coast Guard suspended its search for three missing crew members of the 'RC Creppel' on Jan 27 after the tug sank on the the Mississippi River at mile marker 123, near Luling, Louisiana, on Jan 26. Coast Guard crews searched over 835 nautical miles for approximately 67 hours but were unable to find the missing mariners. Air monitoring was ongoing in the area surrounding the incident. The air in the immediate vicinity of the affected barge has now been cleared of any traces of sulfuric acid. There were no immediate health issues or concerns to the surrounding communities. The Mississippi River was opened again at 9:30 p.m. to vessel traffic from mile marker 121 to 123. This area was still subject to restrictions put in place by Coast Guard Sector New Orleans’ Vessel Traffic Service. McKinney Salvage has been contracted to carry out salvage operations of the affected barge. Air monitoring in the area was to be continued until the salvage operations of the affected barge have been completed. The National Transportation Safety Board has joined the Coast Guard to investigate the cause of the incident.

Search for miissing crew members after tug collision

The tugs 'RC Creppel' and 'Cooperative Spirit' were in collision on the Mississippi River at mile marker 123, near Luling, Louisiana, on Jan 26, 2020. Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at 5:37 a.m. that the vessels had collided and that four members of the 'RC Creppel' were missing. The 'Cooperative Spirit' was transiting up bound on the river when it entered a barge fleeting area and allided with barges before colliding with the 'RC Creppel', which subsequently sank with barges breaking away. The Coast Guard launched a 29-foot boat crew from Coast Guard Station New Orleans and an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter air crew from Air Station New Orleans. One of the people in the water was recovered from a Good Samaritan. The search for the other three was ongoing. The 'RC Creppel' was pushing two barges carrying sulfuric acid. One of these barges was damaged in the incident and released an unknown amount of vapor into the air. The source of the release was secured. A safety zone from mile marker 121 to 123 has been issued and traffic was closed to vessels in that area. The Center of Toxicology and Environmental Health has been contracted for air monitoring. Involved in the response were the Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans, the Coast Guard Station New Orleans, the Port of South Louisiana, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office amd the St. Charles Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Center.