The 120-foot deck barge, known as SW 900, is stuck on shore near Old Greenwich, Conn., April 30, 2014. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
New Haven, Conn. – The 120-foot deck barge known as SW 900 was refloated today at approximately 2:00 a.m. after having been grounded and stuck on shore near Old Greenwich, Conn.
The barge went ashore after breaking loose from its mooring in Stamford Harbor, Conn., at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The owners of the barge, under the supervision of the Coast Guard, submitted a plan and executed the salvage of the vessel today by making temporary repairs to minor damage of the hull. The barge was unmanned at the time of the grounding and was carrying no cargo.
The barge was assisted in refloating by two towing vessels and towed to a shipyard in New York to receive permanent repairs. Coast Guard marine inspectors from Sector Long Island Sound in New Haven, Conn., reported there was no pollution or damage to the environment as a result of this grounding.
“Salvaging a grounded vessel can be a very complex undertaking,” said Coast Guard Cmdr. Amy Beach, the commanding officer of marine inspections for the Long Island Sound Port. “There are many factors to consider, including damage which may have impacted the vessel’s seaworthiness.”
Coast Guard marine inspectors approved the commercially-developed salvage plan and oversaw every aspect of the effort.
```Editor’s note: If you would like additional information, contact Ensign Marty Betts at 203-468-4432```