Mobile Ship Channel Back in Business
Following yesterday’s grounding of the container vessel MSC KYOTO, the Mobile Ship Channel is now open to all vessel traffic.
The U.S. Coast Guard restricted vessel traffic in the channel on Monday, after receiving a distress call of a grounded ship.
MSC KYOTO, with unknown amount of cargo containers onboard, was en route north, to Mobile when the ship’s steering mechanism failed, causing the ship to run aground, reported FOX10TV.
“Coast Guard Sector personnel and patrol boats were able to respond quickly and efficiently to ultimately restore the full flow of commerce to the Port of Mobile,” said Cmdr. Scott Muller, Coast Guard Sector Mobile. “Our marine casualty investigators initiated an investigation of the vessel’s grounding. The goal is to find out what happened and why, so we can prevent similar accidents occurring in the future.”
MSC KYOTO’s owner contracted the towing vessels Hawk and Escambia to assist in freeing the vessel. In combination with high tide, the two tugs were able to tow the vessel back into the channel after more than 12 hours aground.
The Coast Guard officials said that at the moment there are no reports of pollution or injuries. The incident is under investigation.
World Maritime News Staff, April 8, 2014
