Watch Now


No pollution, injuries reported after Mississippi accident

No pollution, injuries reported after Mississippi accident

   The Coast Guard said it is investigating the cause of a collision between two ships that occurred early Sunday morning on the Lower Mississippi River near the IMTT Myrtle Grove facility at Point A La Hache, La.

   The collision occurred at 1:25 a.m. between the 'Heidelberg Express,' a 773-foot German container ship, and the 'Yerot Sakos,' a 737-foot Liberian cargo ship full of iron ore.

   The 'Heidelberg Express' experienced a loss of power when traveling outbound at mile marker 57 along the Mississippi, and the crew dropped both anchors in an attempt to stop the vessel.

   There were no reports of injuries or pollution at the time of the incident and the waterway remains open and unrestricted.

   Investigators from Coast Guard Sector New Orleans are investigating the cause of the collision.

   The latest accident comes less than a week after a collision about between two bulk carriers, the 712-foot Greek-flagged 'Zagora' and the 737-foot Panamanian-flagged 'Torm Anholt.' That accident happened about 55 miles north, near the Kenner, La. bend.