Vincent J. Eymard (2018) | Novatug Maritime Wiki

Classification

Incident Type: Capsize unknown mechanism
Severity: Medium

Vessel Details

Field	Value
Vessel Name	Vincent J. Eymard
Vessel Type	Tug
Flag State
IMO Number
Gross Tonnage
LOA (m)
Owner/Operator
Crew Size
Assisting Vessel	Ellysa

Incident Details

Field	Value
Date	2018-03-17
Location	Mississippi River near mile marker 175, near Donaldsonville, Louisiana, United States
Region	United States
Coordinates	30.1000, -90.9000
Fatalities	0
Injuries	0
Missing	0
Direct Damage
Economic Damage

Key facts

SeaNews reported that Vincent J. Eymard capsized before 09:30 on 17 March 2018 while towing an empty barge.
The tug capsized near Mississippi River mile marker 175; the Coast Guard closed the river between mile markers 177 and 173.
The crew escaped to the assisting tug Ellysa without reported injuries, and Ellysa took control of the empty barge.
About 3,000 gallons of diesel were reported aboard the wreck, but the article said there were no reports of leakage.
The Coast Guard was investigating the cause. The article also reported high-water conditions, but did not establish them as a causal factor.

Narrative

SeaNews reported that Vincent J. Eymard capsized before 09:30 on 17 March 2018 while towing an empty barge on the Mississippi River. The tug capsized near mile marker 175, close to Donaldsonville, Louisiana. The assisting tug Ellysa took the crew aboard without reported injuries and took control of the empty barge.

During the response, the Coast Guard closed the Mississippi River between mile markers 177 and 173. The article said that about 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel were aboard the wreck, but that there were no reports of leakage. It also noted that the river was experiencing high-water conditions and was expected to reach its crest in Baton Rouge that weekend.

The Coast Guard was investigating the cause, but the available article does not identify a technical mechanism for the capsize or provide an official finding. This page therefore retains the controlled classification “Capsize unknown mechanism.” The report does not provide vessel particulars, monetary damage, or a formal report URL. It confirms that the crew escaped, the tow was recovered by Ellysa, and no injuries or diesel leakage were reported.

Sequence of events

Date/time	Event
2018-03-17 before 09:30	Vincent J. Eymard capsized near Mississippi River mile marker 175 while towing an empty barge.
2018-03-17	The crew escaped to Ellysa, which took control of the empty barge.
2018-03-17	The Coast Guard closed the river between mile markers 177 and 173 while investigating.

Investigation

SeaNews reported that the United States Coast Guard was investigating the cause. No official report or technical finding is identified in the available article.

References

SeaNews: Tug capsized on Mississippi