Ohio River holds mystery of tragic sinking

Captains,

The 40' towboat Ceredo went down fast taking one of the crew with her in the fast 45 degree waters of the Ohio River. Salvage will be difficult while the water remains high on the river. Let's hope the investigation provides some valuable safety recommendations. Safety regulations are currently being drafted for commercial towing vessels like Ceredo. The Coast Guard has already hired about a hundred towing vessel inspectors and opened a towing vessel center of expertise in Paducah , KY.

RDML W

CINCINNATI - The Coast Guard re-opens the Ohio River Tuesday after a motor vessel sinks Sunday.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., Sunday, the Coast Guard received a report from the motor vessel Claude R that the motor vessel Ceredo sank on the left bank of the Ohio River near mile marker 480.6. It was reported that there were three persons in the water after the Ceredo sank. Two people were rescued by Good Samaritans.

Man Missing After Tow Boat Sinks In Ohio River Identified

Water units from Cincinnati, Boone County and the Coast Guard searched the river for the third man, Christopher McAllister, of Vevay, who was wearing a life jacket. Their search became a recovery effort Monday afternoon.

The men told police that the boat went down quickly. Search crews using side-scan sonar Monday found the boat submerged in about 50 feet of water about 100 feet from shore.

Meeting with American Waterways Operators

The Atlantic Region of the American Waterways Operators organization met in Jacksonville Beach Florida last week. Topics included towing safety regulations, the AWO-USCG partnership, crew endurance and management system, the responsible carrier program, hurricane preparation, and the Coast Guard's three phase "bridging plan" to train new towing vessel inspectors and prepare towing vessel operators for the certificate of inspection process. I was pleased to participate in the meeting and look forward to continuing the great relationship I have with the AWO.

RDML W