UPDATE 2: BARGE ADRIFT, TUG RESCUE OFF N.C. PORTSMOUTH, Va. – A Coast Guard crew secured an adrift double-hulled barge carrying 5.5 million gallons of petroleum product off the southern coast of North Carolina today. UPDATE 2: BARGE ADRIFT, TUG RESCUE OFF N.C. PORTSMOUTH, Va. – A Coast Guard crew secured an adrift double-hulled barge carrying 5.5 million gallons of petroleum product off the southern coast of North Carolina today.
Members of Coast Guard Sector North Carolina’s prevention department hooked towing gear to the tug Justine Foss, with the help of a rescue boat from Station Wrightsville Beach. Justine Foss is the same tug that responded to the original distress call of the tug Valour’s crew.
While adrift, the barge hit and displaced the #16 red buoy near Frying Pan Shoals off Wrightsville Beach, N.C. It does not appear that the buoy caused any damage to the barge.
The barge was originally set adrift after its tug, the Valour, turned around to recover a crewember that fell overboard in heavy seas. During the search for the crewman, the tug began taking on water and later sank. The search continues for one crewman. Of the other eight, one crewman is confirmed dead, one is believed to have gone down with the tug, one is in Wilmington, N.C., one is en route to Elizabeth City, N.C, and four are safe aboard the Justine Foss.
The Coast Guard crewmembers that secured the barge are available for interviews in Fort Macon, N.C. Please call Lt.j.g. Chandra Hartsfield at (252) 723-1804 for more information regarding interviews.
For other information please call Harry Costello of Maritrans at (813) 209-0690.
Members of Coast Guard Sector North Carolina’s prevention department hooked towing gear to the tug Justine Foss, with the help of a rescue boat from Station Wrightsville Beach. Justine Foss is the same tug that responded to the original distress call of the tug Valour’s crew.
While adrift, the barge hit and displaced the #16 red buoy near Frying Pan Shoals off Wrightsville Beach, N.C. It does not appear that the buoy caused any damage to the barge.
The barge was originally set adrift after its tug, the Valour, turned around to recover a crewember that fell overboard in heavy seas. During the search for the crewman, the tug began taking on water and later sank. The search continues for one crewman. Of the other eight, one crewman is confirmed dead, one is believed to have gone down with the tug, one is in Wilmington, N.C., one is en route to Elizabeth City, N.C, and four are safe aboard the Justine Foss.
The Coast Guard crewmembers that secured the barge are available for interviews in Fort Macon, N.C. Please call Lt.j.g. Chandra Hartsfield at (252) 723-1804 for more information regarding interviews.
For other information please call Harry Costello of Maritrans at (813) 209-0690.
