CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A pump failure caused a barge to sink Tuesday on the downtown Chattanooga waterfront, according to the property owner.
Jackson Wingfield told WRCB that the barge did not have permission to be attached to his dock. He said he called authorities to have it removed late last week, and today was in the process of getting it ready to move when the pump failed, causing the barge to sink.
The United States Coast Guard was called in to oversee the removal of the equipment.
Haz-mat crews with the Chattanooga Fire Department were called in Tuesday morning when someone from a nearby business noticed the barge sank in the water.
"The oil in the machinery, we do not want that to spread any further into the beautiful riverfront here,” CFD Public Information Officer Lindsey Rogers said.
Crews deployed white and orange booms on the water to collect any chemicals from spreading downstream.
CFD Battalion Chief David Thompson said drones from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office helped them see how far the chemicals spread.
"Approximately 1/2 a mile down river, there's some parts of it. As far as the thickness or the density of it, or as far as how much is there, I'm for certain as far as how much is down there,” Thompson added.
The barge owner brought in equipment from Dayton to help get everything out of the water.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation said they will visit the site Tuesday night.
Original story
Emergency crews in Chattanooga are dealing with a hazardous materials situation on the Tennessee River.
According to the Chattanooga Fire Department, a barge was carrying a truck-mounted crane that somehow collapsed and ended up in the river. It's now leaking gas, oil, and other hazardous fluids into the water.
All this is happening off Manufacturers Road, which is across the river from the popular downtown area that includes the Tennessee Aquarium and the River Walk.
Crews have deployed hazmat booms to try to trap those hazardous fluids and have said the spill is contained.
The Hamilton Co. Sheriff's Office plans to deploy a drone to see if there is any contamination to the water downstream, CFD said.
The U.S. Coast Guard has arrived at the scene and is helping coordinate the response. CFD said the owner of the barge, crane, and truck is bringing in equipment from Dayton to get it all out of the water.