The abandoned barge in Belmont Bay was last used to haul materials for constructing the Fairfax Yacht Club in the 1980s. Photo contributed
The 50-foot, steel-hulled landing craft resting in shallow water about 110 feet offshore in Belmont Bay once hauled materials for construction of the nearby Fairfax Yacht Club in the 1980s. When the job was completed, the WWII-type landing craft was abandoned. Over the years, the name of the company responsible for the barge was lost.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Marine Debris Program completed a survey of the ship in 2009 and filed a 38-page report to U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) that recommended cutting up the estimated 20 tons into scrap and hauling the ship out in pieces.
To this date, however, there’s been little movement on removing the barge. However in early October 2015, Del. Dave Albo (R-42) took a step by writing to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. He urged them to apply for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association “Marine Debris Removal Department of Commerce Grant.”
The deadline for the grant application was Nov. 2.