According to a report from Trailer Bridge, a barge named Brooklyn Bridge was targeted by around 50 looters while anchored approximately three miles off the coast of the Bahamas on November 13. This alarming situation prompted the shipping company to urgently contact both U.S. and Bahamian authorities for assistance.
The barge was immobilized due to a prior mechanical issue with its towing vessel, which left it vulnerable. As looters boarded and began stealing cargo, Trailer Bridge quickly notified the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy about the unfolding crisis.
Bahamian police dispatched a unit to assess the situation; however, they opted not to intervene directly due to concerns that their involvement could escalate tensions further.
Mitch Luciano, CEO of Trailer Bridge, emphasized in a statement that ensuring the safety of personnel is paramount during this rapidly evolving incident. He confirmed that both U.S. and Bahamian officials had been alerted and promised more updates once security measures were in place.
This incident followed an earlier mechanical failure on November 11 involving another tugboat named Southern Dawn, which faced severe weather conditions en route to Puerto Rico. The adverse winds caused significant delays as tow lines failed, leaving Brooklyn Bridge stranded off the Bahamian coast just before it became a target for theft.
Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Trailer Bridge operates two /roll-off vessels along with two /load-off vessels between Jacksonville and San Juan in Puerto Rico. The company has committed to providing further information as soon as circumstances stabilize and security is restored aboard their barge.
