ISLA DE BIOKO

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Barge sank after collision

The 'Isla De Bioko', loaded with urea, was in collision with the barges towed by the tug 'Ginny Rose' on April 27, 2025 at 9.20 p.m. The collision led to one barge sinking and six others going adrift, while sailing downstream on the Mississippi River from St. Rose, Louisiana. The conditions on the river were harsh and challenging at the time of the accident. After receiving news of the collision, the Coast Guard immediately mobilized local assisting tugs, which managed to successfully recover four of the barges, but two of them became fouled in the anchor chains of the 'Red Fin' and 'Bulker Bee 30'. The section near the collision site was temporarily closed off by the Coast Guard while crews assessed whether it was safe to traverse given the sunken barge. On April 28, after the depth of the sunken barge was deemed safe for other vessels and the last two barges were recovered, the channel was reopened, albeit with restrictions. An investigation has been opened into the matter, and salvage plans were being drawn up for the sunken barge.