Barges stuck on Naples beach

Two barges ran aground Monday night near Lowdermilk Park on Gulf Shore Boulevard North.

One barge was on the way from Marco Island to Doctor’s Pass for an ongoing construction project, according to Capt. Roger Jacobsen, the City of Naples harbor master.

“It got too close to shore and ran aground. Push boat waves went on top, so they brought another barge to help and that one went aground too,” Jacobsen said.

Jacobsen got the call after 11 p.m. Firefighters and police crews arrived at the beach shortly thereafter.

“Two gentleman who were on the smaller barge ended up jumping in the water to try and make it onshore because they were getting beat up pretty good by the waves,” Jacobsen said.

After rescuing the workers, Jacobsen said the conditions were too rough to do much else.

The smaller barge started floating and was freed around 4 p.m. Tuesday.

“I was like oh my goodness I need to go see this, I grabbed my camera,” said Naples resident, Pam McDaniel. “I’ve lived here my whole life and can’t recall a barge beaching and not on purpose, what a sight.”

The Coast Guard and the Department of Environmental Protection are at the site. Both groups are meeting with the city to discuss how to remove the barges from the low tide, Jacobsen said.

The Department of Environmental Protection confirmed there is no threat of a pollutant release from either barge.

WINK News reporter Kelsey Kushner has more details:

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