LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Emergency Services says all air and water tests came back negative after barges containing methanol were safely moved from a stranded barge to a receiver barge.
This comes after several loose barges got stuck at the McAlpine Dam more than a week ago following a navigation incident.
In an update on April 14, Louisville EMS took 202 air quality samples and samples from five different water locations.
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet said a total of 10 out of 11 barges got loose from a tugboat.
There are no reports of any of the barge’s cargo tanks being breached during the incident. The U.S. Coast Guard has approved the barge to be transported to a facility below the McAlpine Dam and from there, it’s expected to be sent to a shipyard for repairs.
There still is a stranded dry cargo barge, carrying a load of corn lodged against the dam. Officials say on-site salvage experts will continue recovery efforts through the weekend and into next week.