COMMERCIAL VESSEL TRAFFIC RETURNS TO SANITARY AND SHIP CANAL PAST SUNKEN OIL BARGE

Marine Safety Office Chicago
U.S. Coast Guard

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Press Release
Date: January 26, 2005

Contact: Public Affairs
(630) 986-2155

COMMERCIAL VESSEL TRAFFIC RETURNS TO SANITARY AND SHIP CANAL PAST SUNKEN OIL BARGE

CHICAGO, IL – The Coast Guard Captain of the Port has opened the section of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) between the Cicero Avenue Bridge and the Chicago Belt Railway Railroad Bridge to commercial barge traffic. Vessels are permitted to transit this section of the CSSC under the following restrictions:

1. Routine vessel traffic will be allowed to transit this area between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
2. Tow size past the sunken barge is limited to a single, loaded 35 foot wide dry cargo barge, or two end-to-end 35 foot wide empty dry cargo barges.
3. Vessel drafts may not exceed nine feet.
4. All tows require a bow assist boat.
5. All traffic wishing to transit the area must contact the motor vessel David E on channel 19 prior to reaching the Cicero or Belt Railway Bridge for further instruction.

6. This section remains closed to noncommercial vessel traffic.

Seventeen barges safely transited past the sunken barge overnight and into this morning.

The Coast Guard, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and the Army Corps of Engineers will continue to closely oversee all salvage and recovery operations until the threat of pollution has been eliminated and the barge has been removed from the channel.

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