Massive Eyesore Barges Onto St. Pete Beach

ST. PETE BEACH, FL – It may take longer than expected to relocate St. Pete Beach’s newest tourist attraction – a rusty 200-foot-long barge.

Storms on Monday, July 23, caused the barge to cut loose from its moorings offshore and float toward St. Pete Beach where it lodged in the sand of the shallow surf in front of the Postcard Inn.

The barge owners, Illinois-based Luhr Bros. Inc., had hoped to move the 8-foot-tall eyesore Tuesday, July 24 but scattered storms causing strong winds and high waves have put plans to tow the barge on hold.

Monday’s storms brought 5-foot waves that broke the ropes holding two barges together offshore, causing one of the 40-ton barges to float into St. Pete Beach.

It quickly became a tourist attraction, with beach-goers marveling at and taking photos of the massive steel structure.

The barge is one of seven owned by Luhr Bros. anchored off St. Pete Beach. The state of Florida has contracted with the barge company to fill the derelict vessels with rocks and use them to stop beach erosion.

Workers have tied the runaway barge to a bulldozer on the beach and plan to tow it back offshore when the winds and gulf calm.

In the meantime, fire and rescue officials have roped off that section of the beach and are urging swimmers to stay away from the barge.

Image courtesy Facebook

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