Crime & Safety

Barge Washes Ashore in Atlantic Beach

Tug boat sinks after hitting swell and sends barge onto shores of Silver Point Beach.

A 125-foot barge washed ashore after breaking from its tug Monday night in Atlantic Beach, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

After striking a swell off Atlantic Beach shores, a 26-foot towing vessel called “Pushy” lost control of a barge when its towing line snapped, said the Coast Guard. The barge, carrying construction equipment, washed ashore at Silver Point County Park as the tug boat sank. The incident happened at 7:35 p.m.

The vessels were on their way to Weeks Marine Shipyard in New York City, having just finished a job sandblasting and painting the Robert Moses Causeway Bridge.

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Three men escaped the sinking boat thanks to another nearby tug. One man was aboard the barge at the time and he was lifted to safety by New York Police helicopter.

The cause of the break in the line is being investigated by Coast Guard officials. Coast Guard officials are supervising the safe removal of the barge from the beach.

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Officials said there was no evidence of any damage to the marine environment as a result of the incident.


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