The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(MIAMI) — The Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Capt. Karl L. Schultz, has fully re-opened the Miami River at 8 a.m. Thursday, to all marine traffic after a barge carrying sand became partially submerged Saturday.
The 195-foot barge had reportedly buckled between the Dolphin Expressway Bridge and the N.W. 12th Ave. Bridge while being loaded during a dredging operation. Restrictions on vessels entering and departing the river were immediately placed as crews attempted to secure and remove the barge.
The barge was refloated at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday and towed to Ferrous Processing and Metal Trading Recycling in the Miami River.
As of 8 a.m. Thursday, 13 commercial vessels had been awaiting permission to transit through the Miami River.
The Coast Guard is still investigating the cause of the accident.
