March 21, 2018 - Four loaded Murray Energy Corp. coal barges are stuck in the Ohio River, just south of the the Pike Island Locks and Dam.

“Murray American Transportation Inc. confirms that four standard loaded coal barges ran aground in a shallow area of the Ohio River, early this morning, when waiting for another vessel to pass the Pike Island Dam,” Murray spokesman Gary Broadbent said.

“We expect these barges to be cleared by the end of this week.”

Carol Vernon, spokeswoman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office in Pittsburgh, said the barges are not impacting water traffic on the river.

“None are inside the navigation channel and are not affecting operations at our facilities in that region at all,” Vernon said.

“The owner will have to work with the captain of the port for removal of the barges. As of right now, those barges are not affecting our navigable channels and are not affecting operations of our installation at all.”

Local officials do not believe the coal will create an environmental hazard. Wheeling Public Works Director Russell Jebbia said the minerals would not have any impact on the city’s water treatment plant, located in the Warwood section of the city.

“The drinking water is safe,” Jebbia added.

Motorists traveling on Ohio 7 and along Picoma Road could see what was the left of two barges. Coal from one of the barges was all that could be seen above the water by Monday afternoon.

Fishermen at the Pike Island pier also could see a portion of one of the barges that had not totally sunk. The sinking barges proved to be somewhat of a spectacle for local residents, some of whom slowed down or pulled over their vehicles to see them.

This is just the latest round of barge issues to occur on the Ohio River. A few weeks ago during higher water times, several barges broke loose in Moundsville area, striking a bridge pier there. 

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