A pair of beached boats led to the closure of public beaches between the 3000 block of South Ocean Blvd. in Boca Raton to the Deerfield Pier in Broward County.
⚠️ Due to a barge & tugboat breach on South Beach between Deerfield & City of #BocaRaton limits, the beach is CLOSED to public until further notice. Closure from Osceola Dr to Deerfield pier, may extend into the weekend. This is an active situation. Updates will be provided. pic.twitter.com/9y6khe0zTg
— City of Boca Raton (@CityBocaRaton) February 4, 2022
The vessels, a barge carrying shipping containers and a companion tugboat, washed ashore Thursday night at around 8:45 PM.
Beach closed between Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach after barge and tugboat wash ashore https://t.co/xz9PhGJKpl pic.twitter.com/2rb3OIUpCi
— WPTV (@WPTV) February 4, 2022
Coast Guard officials have enacted a 1000 foot ‘security zone’ around the scene as they work to secure fuel sources onboard the ships and have asked the public to avoid the area. The barge is reported to be carrying food and munitions and was en route from Port Canaveral to a U.S. Navy training facility located on Andros Island in the Bahamas. Navy officials are say the cargo is secure and poses no risk to the public. Both vessels are owned by a private shipping company. The cause of the grounding is currently under investigation.