News Release

The Coast Guard and North Carolina Department of Transportation responded to an allision with the bonner bridge in Oregon Inlet, N.C. Thursday morning.

The recreational boat Inger, a 70-foot vessel, struck a piling of the first span of the bridge while transiting outbout, sustaining damage to the right side of the boat above the waterline.

There were two people onboard and no injuries were sustained. There was also no pollution and the vessel was not taking on water. A boat crew from Station Oregon Inlet escorted the vessel to Blue Water Marina in Wanchese, N.C.

A team from Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment in Nags Head, N.C. inspected the damage to the vessel. At the same time, a boarding team from Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet performed field sobriety tests on the Master including a breathalyzer. He was determined not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

"We urge boaters to only use the protected span of the bridge for navigation," said Lt. Gregory Mosko, supervisor of Marine Safety Detachment Nag's Head. "There is only one protected span - the center span. All of the others have no protective fendering."

For questions regard the status of the bridge, refer to North Carolina Department of Transportation.

The recreational boat Inger, a 70-foot boat, travels with a Coast Guard escort from Station Oregon Inlet after alliding with the Bonner Bridge in Oregon Inlet, N.C., Thursday, July 25, 2009. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Sprague)

The recreational boat Inger, a 70-foot boat, travels with a Coast Guard escort from Station Oregon Inlet after alliding with the Bonner Bridge in Oregon Inlet, N.C., Thursday, July 25, 2009. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Sprague)