Safety zone set up where barges broke loose, sank on Monongahela River

RANKIN, Pa. — 6 P.M. UPDATE (5/25/18): Two of the barges carrying coal that broke loose on the Monongahela River sunk, investigators said.

The barges, including the coal they were carrying, sunk into the river.

Channel 11 learned that Allegheny County emergency services was called in to help locate the barges using sonar equipment.

Officials told Channel 11 there is no timetable for when the safety zone will be removed.

Officials said they are aware this weekend is very busy regarding river traffic, but boats will not be able to pass through the safe zone until crews located the sunken barges.

Channel 11 reached out to the company that owns the barges, but the company did not respond.

11:01 A.M. UPDATE (5/25/18): Officials with the U.S. Coast Guard have set up a safe zone from mile 7 to 11.3.  No one can go through the zone.  There is no timetable on how long the safety zone will be in place.

Crews are going down the river surveying the damage.  Officials said they are waiting on a salvage plan from the company that owns the barges on how to get remove them from the water.

4:20 A.M. UPDATE (5/25/18): A river safety zone is in place on the Monongahela River where two of 15 barges that broke loose sunk Thursday, officials said.

Vessels are not allowed to travel through the area without permission from the U.S. Coast Guard, which will decide when to reopen the waterway.

9:32 P.M. UPDATE: The Department of Environmental Protection is monitoring the coal spill in the river, but says it does not pose an imminent threat to water intakes or aquatic life.

The barges have been secured to tugboats by owner Gulf Materials of Braddock.

8:24 P.M. UPDATE.: The Homestead Grays and Rankin bridges have both reopened, according to Allegheny County officials.

Approximately 15 barges loaded with coal broke loose along the Monongahela River near the Rankin Bridge around 4 p.m. Thursday.

Two of the barges sunk, three struck the Rankin Bridge and four are still moving down the river toward the Homestead Grays Bridge, officials said.

Both bridges are closed, according to officials. An inspection crew is expected to arrive soon at the Rankin Bridge to check for any damage.

The Port Authority originally said the Homestead Grays Bridge reopened, but then went on to say they received "bad information."

The Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard have been notified.

The Coast Guard asked for private tugboats and other watercraft to assist in rounding up the barges, and those vessels are in the process of securing them, according to Allegheny County officials.

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