Spills · collision

Asphalt barge M-53; louisville, ky

NOAAORR-6052

issued: 2006-01-26 00:00Z
status: cancelled 2006-02-09 00:00Z
self-cancels: 2006-02-09 00:00Z
authority: NOAA OR&R
position: 38.282, -85.799
vessels: BARGE AGAINST THE BRIDGE M/V KELLY LEE
source: incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Asphalt Barge M-53; Louisville, KY.
Louisville, KY.
1. On January 26, 2006, a runaway barge "M-53" loaded with 19,500 barrels of asphalt allided against a railroad bridge on the Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky. The tug M/V Kelly Lee was heading down river with 3 asphalt barges when the breakaway occurred. Two of the barges were recovered, but one barge is trapped against the K&I Railroad Bridge at river mile 607.4. The USCG reports that the barge is lying on its side with the bottom of the barge against the bridge. The barge was also carrying 15,000 gallons of diesel used to keep the asphalt heated. An unknown amount of asphalt and diesel fuel has been released into the Ohio River. The river is closed to commercial traffic until the situation is resolved. The barge M-53 is owned by Magnolia Marine Transportation.
2. THREAT: OIL. COMMODITY: ASPHALT, DIESEL. TAGS: COLLISION.
3. POSITION 38.282N 085.799W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 6052: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/6052

This area · spills & pollution incidents

4 within 180 nm since 2006 · 0 in the last 12 months · 0 in force now

Utv scott stegbauer; ohio river mile marker 9472015-10-18
Grand tower, illinois2014-04-15
Chemical barge allided with lock & dam 52 on the ohio river near brookport, il2006-02-28

Season · when spills & pollution incidents happen here

month of issue, all years in the archive

Nearby now · within 120 nm

Nothing else in force within 120 nm.

Worldwide now

8 spills & pollution incidents in force · see all

Spills

Oil and chemical spills, groundings and vessel casualties with a pollution threat: NOAA IncidentNews responses since 1957, and spill-response areas broadcast as navigational warnings. All current spills & pollution incidents →

Not for navigation. This is a re-rendering of an official navigational warning for awareness; mariners must use official NAVAREA broadcasts and their national MSI service.