A BARGE anchored near the north-eastern end of New Providence broke loose over the weekend, crashing into a dock at Ocean Club Estates on Paradise Island.

For months, the barge has been an eyesore for Eastern Road residents and a potential threat to both boaters and the environment.

In August, the owners, two local businessmen, reportedly apologised profusely to those affected and said they were doing everything they could to remove the barge, but had to await the repair of a large tugboat.

The barge broke loose on Sunday morning, and was carried west into Ocean Club Estates.

One observer said: “We were all lucky there was not much wind. Imagine the damage it would have done had it come loose during a hurricane.

“How can the port (authorities) be so irresponsible and let this happen?

“It never should have been moored there in the first place.”