Tugboat tow line caused severe reef damage, Fla. officials say

(RIVIERA BEACH, Fla.) — Florida officials say recent severe damage to a coral reef was probably caused by a tugboat towing a barge, the Palm Beach Post newspaper reported. The state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission suspects that a slack tow line dragged bottom and ripped apart a large area of coral. Dive boats are still surveying the damage, which is the length of two football fields. 
 
Click here to view the newspaper’s story.
By Professional Mariner Staff