La Princesa Barge Grounding; Sandbridge, VA (Virginia Beach)

Source report excerpt: “USCG Sector Hampton Roads informed SSC that the vessel continues to drift along shore. Plan is to release some amount of ballast water this afternoon so barge sinks to bottom and stays in place to avoid barge from hitting nearby pier.”

Source report excerpt: “As of 1300 hours on Saturday, 11/14/09, Capt. Ogle informed me that the barge is stabilzed on the beach after ballast water was successfully released from the barge yesterday. All containers and contents appear to be secure. No releases. VADEQ HAZMAT, Atlantic Strike Team, and Sector Hampton Roads on- scene. Established safety zone around barge. Plan is to attempt to pull barge off beach Sunday afternoon around 1800 hours during high tide.”

Source report excerpt: “PORTSMOUTH, Va.—The 580-foot barge La Princesa remains aground north of Sandbridge Pier in Virginia Beach. Titan Maritime, LLC, continues preparations for salvaging the vessel and will attempt to begin operations when weather and sea conditions permit. Members of the Coast Guard’s Atlantic Strike Team, the Virginia Port Authority’s Maritime Incident Response Team, the Virginia Beach Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Team and Crowley Maritime Corporation, the barge’s owner and operator, boarded the vessel earlier today to inspect the cargo for leaks and the vessel for structural integrity. As a result of the inspection, the Coast Guard, MIRT, the Virginia Beach HazMat team and Crowley […]”

Source report excerpt: “The 570-foot barge remains wedged on the beach at Sandbridge. On Sunday, crews attached the first of three tow lines to the barge and plan to try to attach two more today, said Mark Miller, a spokesman for Crowley, the shipping company that owns the vessel. Each line will be attached to a separate tug, Miller said. If all goes according to plan, Titan Salvage could make a first attempt to pull the barge off the beach duirng tonight's high tide. On Sunday, officials with the American Bureau of Shipping, Coast Guard, Crowley and Titan assessed the barge to make sure it is seaworthy, Miller said. Also during the weekend, officials were able to confirm that the massive unmanned barge isn't […]”

Source report excerpt: “The 570-foot barge that went aground in the surf off of Virginia Beach is still stuck there. Salvage crews had planned to try to tow the barge with three powerful tugs at high tide Monday evening, but they were only able to get lines up on two of the tugs. Weather permitting, they plan to try to move the barge at high tide Tuesday evening. The barge ran aground during a powerful storm Friday. Spokesman Mark Miller of Crowley Maritime Corp. of Jacksonville, Fla., said the barge was en route from Puerto Rico to a southern New Jersey port when the barge broke from its tow line. While many cargo containers are empty, Miller said medical equipment, tankers of rum and other cargo remain secure […]”

Source report excerpt: “USCG Sector Hampton Roads reports that the 571ft barge LA PRINCESA is now floating freely and underway being towed by two tugs on an E/NE heading from its original beached position. It is currently 1000 yds offshore moving slowly to the E/NE. Station Little Creek's RB-M is moving from Sandbridge to Rudy Inlet to embark inspectors for transfer to the barge. Once the inspection is complete, the Salvor/Owner have the large tug standing-off nearby to transfer the tow to continue the transit to Delaware Bay (if cleared).”

Source report excerpt: “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 […]”