Coast Guard, Agencies Respond to Boat Fire
The Coast Guard responded to a boat fire at Cape Charles Marina in Cape Charles, Tuesday morning.Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads received a report at 6 a.m. from Coast Guard Station Cape Charles crewmembers who stated they were observing a 73-foot vessel on fire at Cape Charles Marina.Sector Hampton Roads notified local response agencies and directed personnel from Coast Guard Station Cape Charles to respond on foot.Local fire departments are currently fighting the fire onboard the vessel. A Unified Command (UC) has been established that is comprised of the U.S.
Virginia’s FTZ 20 Expansion Approved
Expansion of Virginia’s Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ 20) into northeast North Carolina was approved by the US Department of Commerce and the decision provides another means of attracting cargo to The Port of Virginia, the port’s CEO says. “This is an incentive that can be used to attract business to the port and investment and jobs to locations within the FTZ,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO an executive director of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA). “The benefits of the FTZ can be significant and this decision opens the door in northeast North Carolina to those benefits. Companies operating in Foreign-Trade Zones can defer, reduce or eliminate US Customs duties on imported products.
Rail-Barge Service from Eastern Shore to Resume
Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that the Bay Coast Railroad Car Barge will resume service next week as a result of a partnership between the Commonwealth, area localities, and the Bay Coast Railroad. The barge, which was removed from service last year, provides connecting service between the Virginia’s Eastern Shore and Norfolk/Virginia Beach. Last year, the Bay Coast Railroad suspended service on the barge when it identified $1 million in structural deficiencies critical to the barges safety. In order to restore service, the Commonwealth of Virginia provided a grant through the Shortline Railway Preservation Fund, which included $700,000 in state funds and a $300,000 match provided by Accomack and Northampton counties, as well as Bay Coast Railroad.
