High Winds Causes Sailboat to Strike Buckman Bridge
Another vessel in St. Augustine also drifts into Bridge of Lions, and sinks.

Posted Nov. 14, 2013

 

The Coast Guard is responding after receiving reports that a 38-foot sailboat struck the Buckman Bridge in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013. The sailboat, named Interceptor, broke free from its mooring at Mulberry Cove Marina in Jacksonville before the vessel struck a bridge fender and the mast struck the concrete beneath the roadway. (Photo courtesy of Mike Senft)

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ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – The Coast Guard responded after receiving reports that a 38-foot sailboat struck the Buckman Bridge in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday.

The sailboat, named Interceptor, broke free from its mooring at Mulberry Cove Marina in Jacksonville before the vessel struck a bridge fender and the mast struck the concrete beneath the roadway.

No one was on the sailboat during the accident and there are no reports of injuries or pollution. The Interceptor was last reported wedged underneath the bridge outside of the navigational channel.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville in Atlantic Beach notified the Florida Department of Transportation and coordinated with the marina owner, who intends to recover the vessel.

The extent of damage to the bridge is unknown.

Questions about the Coast Guard’s response should be directed to the Coast Guard public affairs office at 305-318-1864.

Questions about the bridge should be directed to Mike Goldman of the Florida Department of Transportation at 904-360-5457

The windy conditions of the past few days have also led to other moored boats in the area drifting into bridges, as is the case with a pair of boats moored in St. Augustine Harbor yesterday.

According to eye-witness reports, a catamaran houseboat drifted towards the Bridge of Lions, but was assisted by local Marine Police and was able to pull away and re-anchor safely. Another vessel, a blue-hulled trimaran also drug anchor, hit the bridge and sunk. To see photos and a video of that incident, please visit the following link: http://www.syeather.net/2013/11/windy-day/