The Coast Guard has made a change in the Fort Pierce Inlet safety zone Thursday afternoon.
Recreational vessels with less than six-foot draft are now allowed to transit through the Fort Pierce Inlet safety zone upon receiving clearance from the on-scene representative.
All other persons and vessels are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within any of the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Miami or a designated representative.
The safety zone is located at the entrance of Fort Pierce Inlet and was established Wednesday to protect the public from hazards associated with a sunken barge.
"We thank all affected for their patience while we work alongside partner agencies to get the sunken barge removed as soon as possible," said Capt. Austin Gould, commander of Coast Guard Sector Miami. "Our main concern is the safety of those who wish to transit as well as those working on removing the barge from the inlet and we plan to reopen as soon as we can ensure safe passage."
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, weather permitting will be using side scan sonar, diving on the vessel and marking debris fields. As progress is made, the Coast Guard will continue to loosen restrictions and allow more traffic to flow through the inlet.