Middle Thorofare Bridge Closed for Hours During Recovery
MIDDLE THOROFARE – A 90-foot fishing vessel out of Lund’s Fisheries lost power Friday evening and became pinned against the Middle Thorofare Bridge, resulting in the span’s being closed for about 10 hours overnight while the vessel was being freed.
The Lower Township Police Department announced via social media that on Friday, Aug. 30, at around 10 p.m., the bridge was closed temporarily, with no explanation of the problem.
According to Sea Tow-Cape May, at 9:30 p.m. they responded to the bridge to assist the F/V Jersey Cape. The bridge had been closed between Aug. 18 and Aug. 21 when the electric motor that powers the drawbridge went out.
“The 90-foot commercial fishing vessel lost power and became pinned against the north side of the bridge with 20 mph-plus northeast winds and an outgoing tide,” Sea Tow’s post reads. “Our crew was able to get a towline to the fishing vessel, and after significant efforts the vessel was pulled away from the bridge.”
Sea Tow owner Jack Moran said the sea conditions were a problem for the recovery.
“The boat became disabled when approaching the bridge, and the tide and wind were going in the same direction,” he said.
As a result, the fishing vessel was pinned against the bridge and listing heavily. Moran said an outgoing tide has stronger force than an incoming tide, which might have been cause for the list. He said Sea Tow was able to get next to the Jersey Cape and send lines over to the boat.
“From there it took all we had to get it off the bridge. It took a lot of effort and maneuvering,” he said.
Moran said if nothing had been done the fishing vessel might have stayed where it was for another three hours before the tide subsided. Once away from the bridge, the Jersey Cape was towed to Lund’s Fisheries dock, where repairs could be made.
The post went on to say crew members were shaken up but were safe and uninjured.
Moran said the Cape May County Bridge Commission would be evaluating the structural integrity of the bridge, which is now open.
At about 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, township police announced the bridge had reopened.
Moran said this summer became busier for his operation as the season progressed.
“The end was busier than the beginning of summer,” he said.
Sea Tow recently handled the recovery of the 42-foot pleasure boat Luv-it, which caught fire Aug. 23 and sank at the Schooner Island Marina in Lower Township, adjacent to Wildwood. The cause of the fire has not been determined.
Moran said Sea Tow contracted with Northstar Marine for its crane and barge. He said when the boat sank, after being filled with water to put out the fire, the boat drifted under the dock. He said the boat had to be removed from there, lifted out of the water and loaded on a barge.
Moran said Sea Tow has been waiting for calmer seas to transport the burned boat to a facility at Maurice River, where it would be disposed of according to state and federal regulations.
On Wednesday, Aug. 22, Sea Tow pulled the derelict boat Jersey Tomatoes out of the marsh at Cape May Harbor. Sea Tow posted that the boat had been a navigational hazard for months.
In March, portions of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after a bridge support was struck by a cargo ship. Six construction workers died.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
