Ohio River reopens after accident involving two USACE workboats

The Ohio River was reopened to navigation traffic at Olmsted Locks and Dam in Olmsted, Illinois, following a navigation accident on July 1 involving two workboats owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

The incident occurred at approximately 08:50 Central Time during routine fleeting activities. The USACE workboat Jackie Lee Anderson began listing on the Illinois bank of the river, while another workboat, the 775, capsized below the dam.

The USACE confirmed that there were no injuries and all personnel were accounted for. The river was temporarily closed while plans were developed for the recovery of the vessels. An update later confirmed that locking had resumed and the river was open.

Brad Stout, the USACE Louisville District Chief of Locks and Dams, stated at the time of the accident that the agency was working with the US Coast Guard and salvage companies to safely retrieve the vessels and reopen the river as soon as possible.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.