San Francisco Area Storms Wreak Havoc on Marine Navigation

Recent storms that crossed the San Francisco Bay Area earlier this week left multiple vessels, docks, and barges adrift, causing navigational safety issues around the area

Three 60-foot deck barges were adrift, causing an allision with the 3rd Street Bridge at McCovey Cove leading to Mission Creek. U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco's Prevention Department was made aware of the situation and broadcasted a Notice to Mariners, noting that the area was closed to navigation. A finalized assessment of the bridge is pending the completion of an inspection by engineers. Coast Guard pollution responders observed no evidence of pollution, and the barges were secured with the assistance of tugs.

Station San Francisco, Coast Guard Cutter Hawksbill, an 87-foot Marine Protector-class patrol boat, and an Oakland marine unit responded to several adrift docks with vessels moored to them in the Oakland Estuary area. All docks and vessels are safely secured.

Coast Guard Station Golden Gate responded to multiple adrift vessels in Richardson's Bay, Sausalito, and the Tiburon area. All vessels were secure, and persons were assisted.

All potential navigational hazards were mitigated through federal, state, local agency and commercial partnerships, the Coast Guard said.

Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Services maintains communications with San Francisco bar pilots to ensure the continued safe movements of commercial vessels. And Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco conducted an overflight of the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers to better understand maritime safety for the main ship channels.

The Coast Guard said it will continue to monitor situations across the San Francisco Bay Area and respond as needed.