Debris washing up along Outer Banks beaches likely from U.S. Navy ship

Authorities believe debris washing up along Outer Banks beaches over the last few days came from a U.S. Navy vessel nearby.

The debris, including plastic, metal, paper and textile fabric, started appearing Thursday and has been spotted from Nags Head south to the villages of Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo on Hatteras Island, the National Park Service said in a news release.

“The nature of the debris suggest it may have come from a U.S. Navy vessel located near the northeastern coast of North Carolina,” the release said.

Staff from Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Navy and the town of Nags Head have been removing debris over the last 72 hours and plan to continue in coming days.

The U.S. Navy is investigating, the park service said.

Kari Pugh, kari.pugh@virginiamedia.com