Cargo ship runs aground near Sewell’s Point in Norfolk; refloated Friday morning

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A cargo ship ran aground about a quarter mile from Sewell’s Point in Norfolk.

It was successfully refloated by the U.S. Coast Guard Friday morning during high tide.

The Coast Guard says it received word Wednesday night from the crew of the Panamanian-flagged Hong Dai. The 738-foot bulk coal carrier ran aground on a “soft sandy bottom.”

No injuries, pollution or flooding on the ship have been reported, and investigation crews boarded the ship Thursday morning for assessments. Virginia’s Maritime Incident Response Team also responded.

At the time it ran aground, it had 22 crewmembers aboard and was carrying a cargo of coal, 188,000 gallons of low sulfur fuel oil, diesel, and lube oil, collectively.

The Coast Guard says the ship has been ordered to remain in place in the meantime. The ship’s movement is restricted until an underwater survey can be done by the company and the ship is deemed fully safe to sail by marine inspectors.