USCG responds to deep draft grounding in the Lower Mississippi River

The Coast Guard is responding to a grounded vessel in the Lower Mississippi River near New Orleans, Friday, the USCG press release said.

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders received a report at 8:32 Friday morning that the 837-foot UK-flagged deep-draft vessel Anglo Alexandria had grounded in the Mississippi River at mile marker 3.5.

The vessel is currently blocking the navigation channel and a tug is currently on-scene. The river is closed at mile marker 3.5.

There are currently over 50 vessels waiting in queue to transit in or out of the river. This number is larger than normal due to dense fog in the area over the last few days. The vessel has activated their Vessel Response Plan.

There are no current reports of pollution or injuries.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.