CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Coast Guard has issued a captain of the port order for a private contractor that failed to prevent demolition debris from a pier being demolished at Coast Guard Sector Charleston from entering the Ashley River and adjacent waterways today at about noon.
Sector Charleston issued the captain of the port order against BMAR and Associates, a construction management service based in Hopkinsville, Ky., that was attempting to remove debris from a recently demolished pier at the Coast Guard base located at 196 Tradd Street in Downtown Charleston.
Debris from the project floated into the federally mandated navigable waterway of the Ashley River and was posing a hazard to navigation. The debris floated in to the navigable waterway after two of the BMAR and Associates’ heavy equipment became stuck in a pile of debris and mud at the work site at Sector Charleston.
Sector Charleston response coordinators launched two boats from Aids to Navigation Team Charleston to collect as much of the debris as possible from the Ashley River and adjacent waterways. The Coast Guard has also contracted a commercial salvage company to stay on the river to collect any debris that may be spotted throughout the night.
The area around the work site where one piece of BMAR and Associates heavy machinery is still stuck has been enclosed with position boom. The company is also required to maintain the ability to deploy boats and equipment to prevent debris from entering the waterway throughout the night.
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