Did Winds Push Barges Next to Pier? (VIDEO)

Three barges in Tampa Bay came too close for comfort to the St. Petersburg Pier Sunday, when Tropical Storm Debby was pounding the coastline.

Pier workers videotaped the barges' presence, and the long boats seem to be nearly touching the city Pier.

The Coast Guard said Monday that it had received no reports of problems with barges navigating in Tampa Bay near the city tourist attraction.

Carol Everson, the Pier manager, said that the Pier was not evacuated and the barges did not nick the docks.

Everson said it seemed as though a pair of tugboats assisting the barges pulled the big boats away from the Pier.

Jonny Reno's, a restaurant at the Pier, issued a press release Monday, stating that the barges came within 75 feet of the Pier:

"Mid-Morning Sunday, it was noticed that at least one of three extra-large Barges were adrift and dragging hooks towards the Pier. Not in the general direction of the Pier but heading "Directly" towards The Pier. Two very talented Tugboat Pilots managed to push the Barge away from the Pier at the last minute, coming within 75 feet of the corner. Once they were able to literally "push" it away, the pilots took the next hour guiding the drift of the barge to the northwest side of the Pier. The Pilots were able to save the fragile ecosystem for the North Shore Ridge by roping up the barge and dragging it back out into the Bay."