National Transportation Safety Board

Ramming of the Eads Bridge by Barges in Tow of the M/v Anne Holly with Subsequent Ramming and Near Breakaway of the President Casino on the Admiral St National Transportation Safety Board

Publisher Marketing: On April 4, 1998, a tow of the M/V Anne Holly, which was traveling northbound on the Mississippi River through the St. Louis Harbor, struck the Missouri-side pier of the center span of the Eads Bridge. Eight barges broke away and drifted back through the Missouri span. Three of these barges drifted toward the President Casino on the Admiral, a permanently moored gaming vessel below the bridge on the Missouri side of the river. The safety issues discussed in the report are: the advisability of the Anne Holly captain's decision to make the upriver transit and the effectiveness of safety management oversight on the part of American Milling, L. P.; the effectiveness of safety measures provided for the permanently moored vessel President Casino on the Admiral; and the adequacy of public safety for permanently moored vessels. NTSB's recommendations to the USCG, the Research and Special Programs Administration, the States of Missouri and Illinois, the cities of St. Louis and East St. Louis, the National league of Cities, the American Association of Port Authorities, the American Gas Association, the American Public Gas Association, President Casino, Inc., Laclede Gas Company, and American Milling, L. P. are included.