Emergency Crews Close Beaches Due To Beached Barge Near Boca Inlet.
BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) — The United States Coast Guard reports to Boca Post that the beached tug boat and barge have been safely pulled back to sea and all beach side recovery operations have since ceased.
Update 2/6/22
#Update #MorningNews Pollution and salvage crews are scheduled to begin the process of removing the barge from the beach. Please remember, there is a 1,000-yard waterway security zone and a 1,000-foot security zone around the site. pic.twitter.com/92ryUyDbrt
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) February 5, 2022
All affected beaches have since re-opened as the beach side recovery operations have since stopped. According to USCG, the beached tug and barge are now in route to Port Everglades where the tug is to be inspected.
The tug and barge, which was chartered by U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command, was on a routine re-supply mission to the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center. The bare reportedly contained nearly 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel as well as munitions and other ordinance.
The tug and barge sent out a mayday call Friday night at around 8:45PM declaring they were in distress and taking on water. 4 people were rescued by United States Coast Guard and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations crews.
Fuel Being Removed From The Tug On 2/5/22, Image Credit: Uscg
The recovery operation involved multiple organizations and was protected by a 1,000 foot security zone around the site which is what closed area beaches.
Original Story
Authorities close beaches between Osceola Drive all the way to Deerfield pier while emergency crews work on a barge that has beached near the Boca Inlet.
The City of Boca Raton has communicated to Boca Post that all beaches between Osceola Drive all the way to Deerfield Pier are closed due to the vessel recovery efforts. The city is advising that the closure may extend in to the weekend.
This happens as the Coast Guard is on site working with other agencies in recovering the beached barge near the Boca Inlet.
