MIAMI — The Coast Guard has made a change in the Fort Pierce Inlet safety zone Monday afternoon.Recreational and commercial vessels with less than 16-feet of draft are now allowed to transit through the Fort Pierce Inlet safety zone.After dive teams with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer surveyed the area further, an additional obstruction was located promoting the change to the previous 25-foot safety zone.
"After another hazardous obstruction was located, we've decided to decrease the recommended size of draft allowable for each vessel," said Capt. Michael Long, acting Coast Guard Sector Miami Commander. "This adjustment is critical to preventing further tragedy and damage to property."
All other persons and vessels are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within any of the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Miami or a designated representative.The safety zone is located at the entrance of Fort Pierce Inlet and was established Wednesday to protect the public from hazards associated with a sunken barge.The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have placed lights on all buoys that mark the debris field. All vessels should use extreme caution while transiting the area, as mooring balls and markers will be utilized in the area throughout the salvage and recovery effort.For more information on the closure please click: http://d7.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2468242/
For breaking news, please follow us on Twitter @uscgsoutheast.