The RTA2 ferry that runs between the east and west banks of the Mississippi River was released from its mooring and floated on the river before running aground Sunday afternoon.
Early reports had two loose ferries on the river, but the New Orleans Regional Traffic Authority said at 3:30 p.m. it was its new RTA2 ferry that had detached from a barge at its facility. maintenance.
“The ship is currently ashore and our contract ferry operator continues to monitor the situation,” the RTA said. “Emergency tugboats have been insured to retrieve the ship when it is safe.”
Storm waves from Hurricane Ida have moved upstream in the Mississippi, causing the river to rise less than 5 feet just before midnight to 11.35 feet at 1 p.m. at the Carrollton Newfoundland sign. Orleans.
The incident was first reported by WWL-TV. No other information was available immediately.
NEW VIDEO. This is a video of the RTA passenger ferry now drifting down the Mississippi River. This afternoon has been unleashed around 1:30. The coastal director of St. Bernard, Jane Lane, filmed this video near Arabi.@WWLTV pic.twitter.com/qYaGVQvRvD
– Paul Murphy (@PMurphyWWL) August 29, 2021
Reporters Jeff Adelson and Mark Schleifstein contributed to this report.
Editor’s Note: This story incorrectly indicated that two ferries had been released based on reports that misidentified the ship that was released as the Chalmette Ferry.