SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Coast Guard Captain of the Port for Brunswick, Ga., has closed the port to deep-draft vessels Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. following a grounding that occurred earlier in the day.
A survey team from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is scheduled to arrive Thursday morning to ensure the channel is safe for deep draft vessel to transit. After the survey, the Captain of the Port will re-evaluate the decision to keep the port closed to deep-draft vessels.
At approximately 7:30 a.m. Wednesday the captain of the motor vessel Centaurus Leader reported it had run aground on the north side of the Brunswick River while it was transiting in-bound to the Colonels Island terminal. Shortly thereafter the vessel was re-floated and safely completed its transit to the terminal where it is now moored.
Oil containment boom has been placed around the vessel as a preventative measure. The extent of damage to the vessel is being investigated at this time.
There are no reports of injuries associated with this incident, and the Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the grounding.
One deep-draft vessel is currently awaiting approval to leave the port of Brunswick.
