Falls Twp.-Bound Cargo Ship Refloated In Delaware River

The Delaware River in Bristol Township in 2023.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

A 623-foot cargo ship bound for Falls Township that ran aground in the Delaware River was refloated and moored at Tioga Marine Terminal, authorities said.

The motor vessel Algoma Verity, which is carrying about 45,000 tons of solar salt, was successfully refloated around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday during the incoming tide, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The cargo hauler was secured approximately two miles north of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, according to the Coast Guard and public ship tracking data from Monday morning.

The incident happened at 6:30 p.m. last Wednesday when the ship grounded in Philadelphia.

Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders were alerted by the pilot aboard the Algoma Verity of the incident.

Following the report, an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast was issued, and a response boat was dispatched to the site.

No injuries were reported due to the grounding.

Capt. Kate Higgins-Bloom, captain of the port and commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, praised the response team’s efforts.

“The on-scene personnel demonstrated exceptional initiative in a very dynamic environment,” said Higgins-Bloom, captain of the port and commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay. “The vessel is now well out of the channel, but we still have work to do to get the Algoma Verity safely out of the port. We are thankful for the flexibility of all our port partners as we work to protect public safety, the marine environment, and commerce.”

The cause of the grounding remained under investigation as of Saturday.

To ensure safety, a new safety zone has been established around the vessel, restricting traffic 100 yards upriver and 100 yards downriver of the Tioga Marine Terminal. Vessels must obtain permission to enter this zone either by contacting the Coast Guard Command Center one hour prior to transit via radio on VHF channel 16 or by phone at (215)-778-4289.

As the ship remains moored early Monday, its next movements are unclear, and it has not been confirmed if it will proceed to the international port in Falls Township.

Coast Guard personnel, along with representatives from the ship’s ownership and contracted salvage crews, will remain on board to monitor the situation.

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