(PHILADELPHIA) — The bulk carrier Algoma Verity was refloated Saturday and is moored at Tioga Marine Terminal approximately 2 miles north of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge on the Delaware River.
At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay watch standers received a report from the pilot aboard Algoma Verity stating the vessel had run aground with no injuries. The 623-foot vessel was northbound with a cargo of approximately 45,000 tons of solar salt when the incident occurred.
At about 11:30 a.m. Saturday, the ship was refloated during the incoming tide. Coast Guard personnel, representatives from the ship’s owners, and contracted salvage personnel remain on board to ensure the safety of the vessel, crew, waterway and environment.
“The on-scene personnel demonstrated exceptional initiative in a very dynamic environment,” said Capt. Kate Higgins-Bloom, captain of the port and commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay. “The vessel is now well out of the channel, but we still have work to do to get the Algoma Verity safely out of the port. We are thankful for the flexibility of all our port partners as we work to protect public safety, the marine environment, and commerce.”
A new safety zone has been established around Algoma Verity restricting vessel traffic from 100 yards upriver and 100 yards downriver of Tioga Marine Terminal. No vessels will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the captain of the port or a designated representative.
Vessels wishing to transit the area will need to contact the Coast Guard Command Center one hour prior to transit by radio on VHF Channel 16 or by calling the command center hotline at (215) 778-4289.
The cause of the grounding is under investigation.
– U.S. Coast Guard
