Barge breaks free, runs aground in Virginia

Barge breaks free, runs aground in Virginia    Tropical Storm Ida caused a barge used in Crowley Maritime’s liner service between Puerto Rico and Pennsauken, N.J., to break lose and run aground in Virginia Beach Thursday night.
   La Princessa, a triple-deck, 580-foot barge, was being towed north and was about 12 to 14 hours from its destination and 30 miles from the sea buoy for the Delaware River when it encountered heavy seas that were remnants of Tropical Storm Ida, Two towlines from the tug Sentry parted and the barge was carried about 100 miles southwest where it came to rest on Sand Bridge Beach in Virginia.
   Crowley said the barge was fully loaded with 187 container/trailer units including nine refrigerated containers, which were operating on a power pack. The barge also included 125 empty units and five vehicles. Crowley said La Princessa had 84 hazardous materials loads, ranging from syrup for soft drinks and alcohol to empty cylinders formerly containing water purification chemicals.
   Crowley said there was no compromise of cargo, and it remained securely onboard and didn't pose a threat to local citizens or the environment. The six person crew was safe.
   Crowley engaged Titan Salvage to remove the barge.
   Meanwhile, in New Jersey, the Associated Press reported a barge used to repair a bridge broke loose from its moorings on Wednesday night and got wedged under the Townsend Inlet Bridge, closing access to the beaches of Avalon and Sea Isle City. A crew attempted to free it Friday night.