Fuel barge strikes drawbridge at Perth Amboy, N.J.

The following is the text of a press release issued March 1 by the U.S. Coast Guard:
 
(NEW YORK) — The Coast Guard is investigating an allision between a 381-foot barge and the Raritan River Railroad Drawbridge in Perth Amboy, N.J., around 3:30 a.m. today.

The barge DBL 103, carrying 98,000 barrels of number two fuel oil, struck the wooden catwalk of the Raritan River Railroad Drawbridge while inbound in the northern channel. The tugboat Norwegian Sea, a 130-foot tug owned by K-Sea Transportation, was pushing the barge.

There are no reports of injuries or pollution.

No structural damage to the bridge was found.  The bridge is in operation and continues to function properly. Raritan River Railroad Bridge personnel reported a “fair amount of damage” to the wooden catwalk.

The Raritan River Railroad Bridge North Channel is closed to all traffic. The Raritan Bridge South side is open and the northern closure is not affecting commercial traffic.

“Coast Guard investigators are working hard to determine why this allision happened,” said Lt. j.g. Elisabeth Murtha, Sector New York’s command duty officer.

This incident is under investigation.

By Professional Mariner Staff