Officials say they used another tugboat to transport the sunken Benjamin Bailey up the Piscataqua River to Eliot, Maine, overnight after being able to dewater the boat on Sunday and making sure that the boat would float before towing it up river.
The Benjamin Bailey is privately owned by the local towing company Riverside and Pickering Marine Contractors, based out of Eliot, Maine. Authorities reported two people aboard the docked, vessel were able to escape when it was pinned against a nearby barge on Wednesday, though specifics on exactly what caused the accident have yet to be revealed.
Also yesterday, in advance of Hurricane Sandy, officials announced all barges have been moved “up river” until the storm passes, cranes and booms will be taken down, the drill rig on Pier 3 has been removed, extra bracing was added to Pier 2 and all land-based equipment was secured on each side of the Piscataqua.