The US Coast Guard refloated the 958-foot bulk carrier ‘JSW Salem’, after it ran aground about 2.5 miles east of Virginia Beach, Thursday morning. The refloating became feasible with the rising tide and the RB-M crew escorted the ship to an anchorage about 1 mile off Virginia Beach.
Crew members aboard the JSW Salem contacted US Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads watchstanders in Portsmouth after the ship ran aground near Cape Henry Buoy #4. The ship’s crew reported there were 120,000 metric tons of coal and 26 people aboard the ship.
A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Little Creek launched and arrived on scene to assist. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, also launched to conduct an overflight of the scene.
Our top priority is always the safety of life. Preserving the environment and protecting maritime commerce are also some of our top priorities. We are pleased there were no injuries or pollution reported during this incident, and I applaud our Coast Guard crews and first responders that sprang into action to successfully resolve this incident,
…said Capt. Kevin Carroll, commander of Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads.
The USCG is currently investigating the cause of the grounding.