A tug boat that ran aground overnight off Philadelphia Avenue in Lavallette has been towed away.
The Sea Cyprus ran aground after 3:30 a.m. Tuesday morning and remained stuck for nearly 12 hours. A second tug, the Smith Hunter, helped free the vessel just before 3 p.m. Tuesday and began towing it farther out to sea. A third tug was traveling north, away from the scene.
The 71-foot tug apparently broke away from a mooring, which caused it to drift toward shore where it became stuck on a shoal, officials said.
![A tug boat stuck near the shore in Lavallette, July 24, 2018. (Credit: Lavallette Beach Patrol)](https://lavallette-seaside.shorebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/lava_tug-1024x576.jpg)
A tug boat stuck near the shore in Lavallette, July 24, 2018. (Credit: Lavallette Beach Patrol)
![A tug boat stuck near the shore in Lavallette, July 24, 2018. (Credit: Lavallette Beach Patrol)](https://lavallette-seaside.shorebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/lavatug_2-1024x576.jpg)
A tug boat stuck near the shore in Lavallette, July 24, 2018. (Credit: Lavallette Beach Patrol)