Crews remove barge from Sandbridge, Va., beach

By Mike Schuler On November 18, 2009

AP Photo/Steve Helber: A US Coast Guard helicopter prepares to lower two salvage crewmen onto a large barge that broke free is on the beach near the Sandbridge fishing pier in the Sandbridge area of Virginia Beach, Va., Friday, Nov. 13, 2009.

Crews this morning were able to free the 572-ft. barge that ran aground on a Virginia beach Thursday night after it broke free from a tug in severe weather. The barge was on its way rom San Juan, Puerto Rico, to New Jersey when it ran into heavey weather from the remnants of Hurrican Ida. The following was released by Crowley Maritime regarding the barges removal.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Titan Salvage crews successfully pulled the barge La Princesa off Sandbridge beach at 7:48 a.m. Wednesday.

The crews used two tugs pulling together on the bow and stern of the barge at high tide to free it. The barge, which broke free from the tug Sentry Thursday night, grounded on the beach near Little Island Pier Friday morning.

Coast Guard, Crowley and Titan Salvage personnel worked together to remove the barge from the beach while ensuring the safety of the public and environment. Coast Guard inspectors and a member of the American Bureau of Shipping will survey the vessel to ensure that it is seaworthy. Once the survey team is satisfied, the tug Sentry will tow the barge to its next port of call in Pennsauken, N.J.

11/13 VIDEO : Coast Guard responds to drifting barge off Sandbridge, Va.

11/14 : Salvage company continues preparations to move grounded barge near Sandbridge

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About The Author

Mike Schuler

After graduating the Catholic University of America in 2005 with a B.S.B.A. in Finance, Mike went on to Tahoe to help with the launch of gCaptain's sister site, UnofficialNetworks.com. In June of 2008 Mike joined gCaptain.com as the first full-time employee in charge of the day-to-day operations of gCaptain.com and Unofficial Networks, LLC.