Notification of Sinking or Sunken Vessels, Vessel Groundings, and Barge Breakaways

Notice Number: 205566/24-03
Date: 01/01/2024 05:00 thru 01/01/2025 04:59

Timely notification of sinking or sunken vessels, groundings, and barges breakaway is a matter of great concern to the United States Army Corps of Engineers because of the potential danger that could result from unreported cases.

Pursuant to Section 7 of the River and Harbors Act of August 8, 1917, regulations have been prescribed to govern the use, administration, and navigation of the Ohio River, the Mississippi River above Cairo, Illinois, and their tributaries. Excerpts from these regulations (33CFR 207.300) are as follows:

"Any accidents resulting in uncontrolled barges shall immediately be reported to the nearest lock. The report shall include information as to the number of loose barges, their cargo, and the time and location where they broke loose. The lockmaster of locks shall be kept informed of the progress being made in bringing the barges under control so that they can initiate whatever actions may be warranted."

"Sunken or sinking barges shall be reported to the nearest lock both downstream and upstream of the location in order that other traffic passing those points may be advised of the hazards."

"Any other activity on the waterways that could conceivably endanger navigation or a navigation structure shall be reported to the nearest lock."

The following is a list of pertinent information for all Huntington District Lock and Dam Projects.

If you have any questions, please contact this office at (304) 399-5239.
Reporting incidents such as these to other Federal Agencies other than the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers does not fulfill your reporting obligation.

//signed//

Browning, Kent C, Chief, Technical Support Branch