The MV Cindy Celeste

The Cindy Celeste tow takes on water as barges float loose on the Mississippi River south of the bridges Sunday afternoon.

Four of about 10 barges that broke loose after hitting the U. S. 80 Bridge Sunday afternoon float past Rainbow Casino. The circular tower to the left is where the Riverview Buffet is located and you can get a great view of the Mississippi River while you dine. Bob and I have ate there with Rex and Denise when they came to visit us. A birds eye view!

According to The Vicksburg Post yesterday, more restrictions for traffic on the Mississippi River at Vicksburg might be ordered after a fourth tow hit the U.S. 80 bridge Sunday, broke apart and sent half its barges careening downstream and seriously imperiled the crew.

"It was a close call," said Albert Smith, fleet manager for Ergon Marine, which has been rounding up free-floating barges. "My guy called me and said they were fixing to start getting people off the boat, but it was able to get turned around and saved."The bow of the towboat, the MV Cindy Celeste, apparently plunged after the impact and started taking on water. Once facing the current, pumps were able to remove water from the hull. The swirling and cross currents have now sent four tows into bridge pilings in 12 days. The MV Cindy Celeste was pushing 19 barges at about 2:30 pm when it literally was pulled into Pier 3 of the bridge by a quick current. “The current was shoving him so hard there was no way the poor guy could get away from it,” said Smith, who watched the accident on video. Two cameras mounted on the bridge recorded the accident. Some barges were loaded with corn and others with steels. (I heard this distress call on our scanner at home)

Albert Smith of Ergon reinforced the dangers. “We haven’t totally wrapped up the first barge accident, so that gives you and idea of what we’re facing,” he said. “The current is so fast right now, we just can’t get to some barges we have tied off to trees down river.”

Barge traffic restrictions have been in place for more than a week, both on the number of barges that can be cabled together for south-bound trips and on the times loads may pass under bridges in Vicksburg, Greenville and Memphis.