Barge Looted in Bahamas Returns to Jacksonville as Insurance Claims Mount

A barge carrying 192 shipping containers, which ran aground in the Bahamas and was quickly looted, has finally returned to Jacksonville, marking the end of a stormy journey. However, this incident is expected to result in millions of dollars in insurance claims.

The barge, known as the Brooklyn Bridge, was being towed towards Puerto Rico on November 11 when high winds caused the tow wire to snap. According to reports from FirstCoast News, FreightWaves, and other news outlets, the barge—carrying food, household goods, medical equipment, and electronics—ran aground on a reef near the Bahamas.

Looters quickly descended on the vessel, using bolt cutters and pry bars to break open the containers. Authorities reported that nearly all but 11 of the steel containers were opened. What the looters didn’t steal, they threw into the water and the sand around the reef. The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy intervened after Bahamian police were slow to act due to safety concerns, according to the reports.

The barge is believed to be owned by Trailer Bridge. Each container was carrying between $50,000 and $200,000 worth of goods, and at least some insurance claims have already been filed. This looting is likely to lead to shortages of certain goods in Puerto Rico.

Cleanup crews were hired to collect the discarded appliances and other items scattered near the Bahamas, off Florida’s east coast. Mitch Luciano, CEO of Trailer Bridge, expressed his gratitude to U.S. and Bahamian authorities for helping secure the area and protect the remaining undamaged cargo.

A legal expert commented that while maritime theft is not uncommon in some parts of the world, it is highly unusual along the Jacksonville-to-Puerto Rico Jones Act trade route.