Ship headed to N.C. port hits dredge

A giant ship hauling four huge cranes to the state port in Wilmington hit a dredge Saturday as it steamed up the Cape Fear River, officials said.

Catwalks on the rear of the $33 million cranes were damaged and hung like steel streamers from the 235-foot tall cranes. No one was injured.

Coast Guard officials are investigating the crash, which happened about 5 p.m. The inquiry will include drug and alcohol tests on the 20-member crew of the Chinese ship, Zhen Hua 16.