Salvage teams have successfully removed all leftover fuel from a grounded barge that ran aground near the entrance to San Juan Harbor last week. This action has greatly lowered the immediate environmental risk as crews work to get the 265-foot vessel off the rocks near San Felipe del Morro Castle.
The barge, named Defiant, was being towed to San Juan from St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands when it grounded around noon on February 9, just outside the harbor entrance close to Old San Juan. The vessel came to a stop near the historic 16th-century fortress that protects the entrance to San Juan Bay.
On Monday, about 1,000 gallons of residual fuel and oily water were removed from the barge as part of the ongoing salvage efforts. Over the weekend, salvage teams brought in extra equipment to evaluate the damage to the barge and check all tanks and compartments for pressure.
“With the removal of residual fuel, we have significantly reduced the threat to the marine environment,” said Lt. Cmdr. Ray Lopez, the Coast Guard incident commander at U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan. “We will continue to closely monitor the area as salvors and responders work hard to prepare the barge for its removal. The removal will take as long as needed to ensure the safety of the responders while minimizing impacts on the marine environment and protecting the Port of San Juan's transportation system.”
The plan to remove the barge is currently being reviewed and awaits updates from the salvage teams and final approval from the Captain of the Port. The Coast Guard has set up a 200-yard safety zone around the vessel and advised the public to avoid the area to allow response teams to work safely.
No injuries occurred during the incident, and there are no signs of pollution. The Port of San Juan remains open for vessel traffic as the barge is not blocking the navigable channel. The Coast Guard has activated an Incident Management Team to coordinate the effort and is sending out Safety Marine Information Broadcasts to inform nearby vessels.
The cause of the grounding is still under investigation.