CHARLESTON, S.C. – Coast Guard Sector Charleston Captain of the Port placed a 100-yard safety zone around Pier G, Friday, at approximately 9:30 p.m., after a crane fell into the Cooper River.
While the exposed portion of the crane is lit with magnet flashing lights, mariners are urged to use extreme caution while transiting the area and maintain a sharp lookout due to the submerged hazard to navigation.
The crane reportedly has a max potential of 1,000 gallons of fuel and boom is deployed around the area.
The Charleston District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assessed the waterway Saturday morning, which assisted in the Coast Guard’s determination to resume commercial shipping movements through the channel in the vicinity of Pier G and the submerged crane. Once a salvage plan is approved and finalized and salvage operations begin, periodic pauses in vessel traffic may be necessary to ensure the safety of response and salvage personnel.
“We’re glad no personnel were injured, and quick actions were taken to minimize environmental impact when the crane collapsed into the water late yesterday afternoon,” said Capt. Shawn Lansing, Sector Charleston commander and Captain of the Port. “We will continue coordinating with port stakeholders to minimize disruption of commercial ship movements through the Upper Cooper River and ensure safety throughout the salvage operation.”
The incident remains under investigation, with initial reports indicating that severe weather contributed to the crane entering the water.
A safety marine information broadcast is being issued, and the boating public should monitor VHF channel 16 when transiting the area.
Sector Charleston is responsible for the execution of Coast Guard missions in the waters off South Carolina and Georgia out to 200 nautical miles with three of the top ten busiest port in the U.S.
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