Two Missing After Towing Vessel Capsizes on Mississippi River Near New Orleans

A photo posted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Monday, March 12, showing the Carrollton Gage on the Mississippi River in New Orleans near flood stage of 17 feet.

The U.S. Coast Guard and other federal and local agencies are responding to a report of two people missing after a towing vessel sank in the vicinity of mile marker 90.5 on the Mississippi River near New Orleans on Monday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a report at 9:43 a.m. that the towing vessel Natalie Jean capsized with three people aboard. The good Samaritan vessel Earl Gosling rescued one person.

The Mississippi River is closed from mile marker 89 to 90.5.

There is an estimated 600 gallons of fuel on board the Natalie Jean.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

The National Weather Service New Orleans on Monday had a flood warning issued for parts of the Lower Mississippi due to heavy rainfall. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers posted a photo of the Carrollton Gage showing the river near flood stage of 17 feet.

In addition to Coast Guard air and sea assets, other agencies involved in the search include the New Orleans Harbor Police, Plaquemines Port Authority, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and NOAA.
NOAA

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