In light of the approaching Hurricane Dorian and the potential of causing extensive flooding and erosion along the Carolina and Georgia coasts, scientists from the US Geological Survey are in a hurry to install a minimum of 150 storm-tide sensors that will help them closely monitor the hurricane’s effects.
At least five people were killed as the Hurricane Dorian pounded the Bahamas on Monday, causing vast floodings and evacuation of more than one million people in US coast. The US National Hurricane Center said the storm is still stationary just north of Grand Bahama Island.
NTSB issued an investigation report on a fire and explosion incident onboard the fishing vessel ‘Hit List’ while in Merrimack River, in August 2018. The investigation found the fire was caused by failure of a hydraulic hose fitting. Meanwhile, the water used for firefighting efforts contributed to the vessel’s sinking.
Ireland’s Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) issued an investigation report on a fatal incident involving the fishing vessel ‘Aisling Patrick’ 15 nm off Broadhaven, Co Mayo, on 10th April 2018, that resulted in one fatality. The report highlighted poor training and maintenance, as well as inefficient EPIRB.
Canada announced the lifting of navigation restrictions in certain zones previously identified in Interim Order no.3 Respecting Flooded Areas, due to improved navigational safety conditions and following consultations with local authorities and law enforcement.
The rain that is pouring along the US Midwest and Great Plains has closed refineries, flooded streets and led to problems for the Mississippi River traffic. What is more, there is no sign of that this situation will stop soon, coming to add to the US’s most wet 12-month period ever recorded.
Two unmanned barges broke loose Wednesday night from their mooring site in the Port of Muskogee, staying adrift for several hours on the swollen Arkansas River, Oklahoma, before they crashed into a dam, Thursday. The barges were carrying about 3,800 pounds of phosphate fertilizer between them.
Because of the alarming rising levels seen on Mississippi River, Bloomberg informs that the Morganza Floodway may be opened for the third time in the history, increasing the possibilities of flooding a large part of rural Louisiana and affecting refineries in the region.
A towboat hit St. Louis’ Eads Bridge on May 3, possibly because of increasing flood waters. According to USCG officials, the tugboat was damaged to its pilot house but there were no injuries. The bridge was not harmed neither. After the accident, USCG closed a part of the Mississippi to all ship traffic from mile marker 179 to 184,
The Swedish Club issued an alert on the unprecedented increase that the Upper Mississippi river is expected to experience. Specifically, the rises of 6 to 7 feet are expected on the Upper Mississippi above the junction with the Ohio River, according to forecast of May 1, from Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center, LMRFC.
