Mv. Totem Kole II Partially Sinks

The Coast Guard responded to a partially submerged vessel on the Upper Mississippi River near Cairo, Ill., October 9.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley received a report at 2 p.m. of the mv. Totem Kole II taking on water at Mile 59.7.

At press time, the vessel was grounded at a nearby embankment on the left descending bank of the river. All crewmembers departed the vessel safely.

There is a reported 800 gallons of diesel fuel and 60 gallons of oil onboard the vessel. An unknown amount of product is reported to have gone into the water.

An oil spill response organization deployed containment boom around the vessel to prevent the spread of pollution.

Coast Guard crews arrived on scene October 10 in response to the incident.

There were no waterway closures or restrictions due to the incident.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

The Totem Kole II is a twin-screw towboat built in 1962 by Barbour Metal Boat Works in Lemay, Mo. The vessel is owned by KHC Marine LLC, Percy, Ill., which purchased the vessel in 2012.