Beaufort Inlet Channel open after bulker refloated

Cargo ship Pola Palekh sits aground in Beaufort Inlet Channel near Fort Macon, North Carolina, November 17, 2016. The 590-foot vessel ran aground in the vicinity of buoy 16A at 1:15 p.m. and was refloated by tugboats at about 8:18 p.m.

NOVEMBER 18, 2016 — The Coast Guard reports that it worked with the owner of a grounded 37,648 dwt Maltese-flag bulker to ensure its safe refloating after the vessel ran aground in the Beaufort, North Carolina, Inlet Channel yesterday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina received a call via landline at 1:15 p.m. that the 590-foot Pola Palekh had run aground in the vicinity of buoy 16A in the channel.

Sector North Carolina watchstanders issued a safety marine information broadcast and launched a 29-Foot Response Boat-Small crew from Coast Guard Station Fort Macon to assess the bulk carrier and the channel.

The Pola Palekh was carrying 35,800 metric tons of fertilizer and holds approximately 27,000 gallons of fuel oil.

The acting Captain of the Port for Sector North Carolina, Cmdr. Quincy Davis, temporarily closed the channel to deep draft commercial traffic. At approximately 8:18 p.m., tugboats assisted the Pola Palekh off the shoaling and escorted the vessel to Morehead City State Port Terminal by about 8:45 p.m.

The acting Captain of the Port reopened Beaufort Inlet Channel to all marine traffic.

No injuries, pollution, or damage to the vessel have been reported.