South Packery Channel Jetty and Beach Restricted
City of Corpus Christi
CORPUS CHRISTI (News Release) – This week, salvage contractor Resolve Marine will begin recovery and disposal on the partially sunken construction barge stranded near the Packery Channel jetty on Padre Island.
Due to strong currents and high water associated with Hurricane Ian, the barge drifted to the south side of the southern jetty of Packery Channel. The barge was used on the Packery Channel Restoration project by Callan Marine Ltd. and is owned by their subcontractor Peninsula Marine.
The recovery operation will impact access to a portion of the South Packery Channel jetty walkway and beach area. A segment of the jetty walkway will be restricted on Sunday, February 19, until the removal has been completed. Surfers and swimmers should exercise extreme caution and avoid the barge.
Callan Marine Ltd. and Resolve Marine have worked closely with the United States Coast Guard and the City to develop a safety plan for the recovery and disposal of the barge. Resolve Marine will remove the barge from the water, and once on the beach, they will dismantle the vessel. The parts will be transported to a nearby scrap facility.
Beachgoers can expect to see the contractor mobilizing on the beach this weekend. It is anticipated that the protective fencing installation and the beach closure to begin on Monday, February 20. The barge removal is expected to take up to three weeks; however, the weather will play a large part in how quickly the project is completed. High winds, waves, and rain may stall the removal.
