Sunken barge expected to be raised Saturday

Published 4:05 pm Friday, May 18, 2018

The contractor handling the recovery of a grain barge that sank Thursday after hitting the old U.S. Highway 80 bridge expects to raise the barge Saturday, a U.S. Coast Guard spokesman said.

Petty Officer 1st Class Erik Brehaut said the contractor has built an A-frame at the site to lift the barge. He said the crew had stopped work for the day Friday and plans to resume the recovery Saturday morning.

He said the river’s channel is not blocked and vessels are able to avoid the sunken barge.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.