Tug Disabled, Barge Sinks
The 94 foot long tug along with its 270 foot long barge became disabled off Miami, Florida. The tug had suffered an engine failure due to a fuel problem and was adrift when it contacted the Coast Guard. The barge with a cargo of 33 empty containers began to take on water near the bow. The Coast Guard dispatched the cutter Seneca to the scene. The Seneca took the tug under tow. A commercial tug and divers were requested to help to dewater the barge. However, attempts to salvage the barge failed and officials decided to sink the barge 25 miles offshore. The location is not near any coral reefs and deep enough to not impact any navigation. The barge and its cargo do not pose a pollution risk as no fuel or products were aboard. The owners of the vessel will be charged for the salvage efforts. Reports state the tug and barge were travelling from Haiti. No reports of injuries or pollution being released.
