K-Sea tug, fuel barge run aground in Jamaica Bay

The following is the text of a press release issued May 19 by the U.S. Coast Guard:
 
(NEW YORK) — A 76-foot tug carrying 5,110 gallons of diesel fuel and pushing a 272-foot barge was successfully re-floated at high tide at 7:45 a.m. today after they ran aground on soft mud in Jamaica Bay, N.Y., at 10 p.m. Sunday.

The vessel’s single hull remained intact, and there have been no reports of pollution.

The tug, Inland Sea and the barge Essex, both owned by K-Sea Transportation in East Brunswick, N.J., were en route to the Mobil facility in Inwood, N.Y., when they grounded on soft mud at the entrance to the Grass Hassock Channel in Jamaica Bay.

A Coast Guard Station New York boat crew attempted to transfer marine inspectors to the vessel shortly after it ran aground, but could not due to shallow water depth. They arrived onboard the vessel at 7 a.m. to ensure the vessel’s hull had not been breached and to investigate the cause of the grounding.

After successfully re-floating, the Inland Sea and the Essex continued transit to the Exxon Mobil facility.

“We take every grounding incident seriously,” said Ensign Maria Rosario, Coast Guard Sector New York command duty officer, “whether or not pollution has entered the water.”

The weather on scene was reported as 10 to 15-knot winds and calm seas at the time of the grounding.

There were no reports of injuries.

By Professional Mariner Staff