City of Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI – (News Release) Wednesday, December 14, Bullard Marine Solutions will begin salvage operations on the partially sunken construction barge stranded since September near the Packery Channel jetty on the Island.

Due to strong currents and high water associated with Hurricane Ian, the barge shifted to the south side of the southern jetty of Packery Channel and became stranded. The barge is owned by Callan Marine Ltd., the City’s contractor for the Packery Channel Restoration project.

The salvage operation will impact access to a portion of the jetty walkway. A segment of the jetty walkway will be restricted until the salvage operation has been completed. Surfers and swimmers should exercise extreme caution and steer clear of the barge.

Callan Marine Ltd. has worked closely with the United States Coast Guard and the City to develop a safety plan for the salvage operations of the barge. Bullard Marine will begin the process with a dive survey and the patching of the hull. Once the barge has been floated, it will be towed to the nearest qualified repair facility. The removal of the barge is expected to take up to two weeks, weather permitting.