Tanker hits Sarah Long Bridge

APRIL 1, 2013 — The Coast Guard has been responding to a 473-foot tanker that allided with the Sarah Long Bridge connecting Kittery, Maine to Portsmouth, N.H.., at approximately 1:30 p.m. today.

Video from broadcaster NECN shows tanker hard against bridge

Local media report that the bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic pending an inspection and say that the tanker broke away from its mooring at the State Pier in Portsmouth and floated into the Sarah Long Bridge.

The Coast Guard says watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England received a report from the Portuguese flagged, motor vessel Harbour Feature that it became disabled and allided with the bridge. The vessel is carrying an unknown amount of tallow oil. Both of the vessel’s anchors have also been deployed.

The Harbour Feature is a 16,609 dwt, 2011-built chemical tanker operated by Copenhagen, Denmark, headquartered Nordic Tankers.

The Coast Guard said today that vessel traffic in the channel had been closed until the Harbour Feature was able to be moved from the channel. Two tug were en route to assist and to attempt to free the vessel at slack tide.

No injuries or pollution have been reported. However, the tanker crew has reported a six-to-twelve inch rupture above the waterline of the vessel near the port ballast tank.