ATLANTIC BEACH, Florida – After three months, the crews plan to move a stuck barge off Atlantic Beach.

A large tug has a line on the Bridgeport, and the Coast Guard has said the barge will be towed to North Florida shipyards near TIAA Bank Field.

Sky 4’s antennas show the 418-foot barge has been refloated, but by Tuesday morning it had yet to begin the journey that would amount to a 20-mile hike by car.

The Bridgeport got stranded off Atlantic Beach in March after hitting the piers.

I-TEAM recently learned that over 9,000 tonnes of coal ash spilled from the barge into the ocean.

According to marine science experts, the ash contains toxic materials like lead and mercury.

And several environmental groups tell News4Jax that they are concerned about the impact it will have on the environment and marine life.

The St. Johns Riverkeeper recently said: “While we do not anticipate significant impacts to the water quality of the St. Johns River from the spill, we are concerned about the ash contaminants entering the chain. aquatic food, including fish that use the river. “

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In a recent update from the City of Atlantic Beach, the mayor says she is in constant communication with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, adding that the DEP tells her in part, “He is no less sure of swim now than before cargo. has been unloaded. There is no advisory issued and surveillance on the beach and Mayport Boat Ramp did not show any contaminants in the sand.

The city and the Incident Response Team provide frequent updates on the condition of the barge.

The crews say safety for both the community and the environment is a top priority as they work to move the barge.