"Navigational issue" shuts down CBBT

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - An incident the Coast Guard is calling a navigational issue left many residents perplexed when they heard what sounded like alarms on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel early Tuesday morning.

According to Coast Guard Public Affairs, two ships in the channel had what officials say was a navigational issue. One vessel stopped to allow another to pass over the tunnel portion of the bridge, prompting officials to close the bridge-tunnel around 6 a.m.

Residents in Chicks Beach reported hearing collision sirens coming from the bridge, but officials tell WAVY.com no collision occurred.

Neither the Coast Guard nor the Virginia Pilot Association would comment because of an ongoing investigation.

"Our policy and procedure I would say worked well this morning," Lt. Hollis Brickhouse said. "It was a good false call for us."

Traffic was stopped outside of the tunnel for about 10 to 15 minutes as the ships passed.