Sunken Barge Removed From Providence River

A crane is set up to hoist pieces of the barge from the Providence River. Photo/Video Capture

A sunken barge that has hindered navigation on the Providence River since 2017 has been removed.

As the process continued a boom was set up to contain any debris. Photo/Video Capture

Crews working for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the NOAA Marine Debris Program recently completed the removal of the sunken crane-topped barge.

In October 2017, the steel-hulled barge with a mounted crane sank roughly 500 feet offshore in the Providence River.

Officials described it as more than just an eyesore. They said it was a navigational hazard, presented ecological concerns, and limited recreational and economic activities for nearby residents.

If it continued to sit and rust, the more likely it was that pieces would break off and fragment, littering the surrounding area and shoreline.

The Steel Yard — an industrial arts space in Providence — will repurpose the salvaged material into an art installation.

The project removed more than 400,000 pounds of marine debris.