Update: Coast Guard, local agencies responding to vessel fire

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland Contact: 8th District Public Affairs Office: [phone] After Hours: [phone] Eighth District online newsroom January 26, 2018

Update: Coast Guard, local agencies responding to vessel fire

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Coast Guard and local agencies are continuing to monitor the situation at mile marker 390 on the lower Mississippi River near Vicksburg, Mississippi, Friday.

The fire aboard the George King has been extinguished.

The waterway restriction between mile marker 395 and mile marker 380 was lifted on Thursday at 12:28 p.m.

United States Environmental Services has set boom and absorbent pads around the George King with no reports of pollution.

Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River watchstanders received a notification at 8:50 p.m. Wednesday regarding the George King reporting an engine room fire with nine crewmembers aboard. The crewmembers abandoned the George King to the dry cargo barges it was pushing with no reported injuries. The C. Michael Reeves was able to push the George King and its barges onto the left descending bank of the Mississippi River.

The George King has an estimated 65,000 gallons of diesel on board.

Involved in the response are:

- Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Vicksburg

- Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

- Budwine & Associates, Inc.

- United States Environmental Services (USES)

The Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.

-USCG-