Barge grounded off the coast of Rhode Island on its way to Boston

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England issued an update concerning an incident that took place over the weekend off the coast of Rhode Island.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, at around 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, Sector Southeastern New England received a report of a barge listing, located northeast of Point Judith, RI. The barge and its tug, The Challenger, had been transiting to Boston, MA to deliver pilings to Logan International Airport. The Challenger had noticed that the barge was starting to take on water and list. The tug proactively made the decision to intentionally soft ground the barge in the vicinity of Bonnet Shores in Narragansett, RI and prevent it from sinking or blocking the channel. The barge has successfully grounded with no pollution risks and remains in a non-distress status.

All parties have been forthcoming and helpful in this effort as Sector Southeastern New England collaborates with the barge’s class society and company for salvage operations to allow its eventual transit to Boston.

Keeping a sharp lookout at sea saves lives. In the event of maritime emergency contact the Coast Guard via VHF channel 16 or (866) 819-9128.