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Press Release | March 25, 2026

Coast Guard Responding to Vessel Grounding and Collision on Mississippi River

U.S. Coast Guard Heartland Office: 504-671-2020 Cell: 618-225-9008

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard is responding after two vessels, the PAC DUBHE and the AFRICAN BUZZARD, collided and subsequently grounded near mile marker 124.5 on the Mississippi River on Monday.

The motor vessel AFRICAN BUZZARD is currently aground. The two vessels are entangled, with the AFRICAN BUZZARD’s anchor lodged in the front of the M/V PAC DUBHE.

Both vessel operators are conducting comprehensive assessments to develop salvage plans for submission to the Coast Guard and have tugboats alongside.

There are no reported injuries to crew members, no observable environmental impact or pollution, and the Mississippi River remains open to vessel traffic. 

The Coast Guard has implemented a speed restriction for vessels transiting the area near mile marker 124.5.

The Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting a joint investigation into the cause of the incident.