The salvage plan to remove the grounded barge Defiant from the rocks off the San Felipe del Morro Castle shoreline near San Juan, Puerto Rico, has received final approval, the U.S. Coast Guard announced.
The removal is scheduled to occur during high tide once logistic arrangements are finalized and weather and sea conditions allow.
The 265' fuel barge grounded at approximately noon on Feb. 9 just off the Port of San Juan harbor entrance. The barge, which was not laden at the time, was being pushed by the tugboat Storm from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. No injuries were reported.
Following the incident, a unified command consisting of the Coast Guard, the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico, and the barge's owner was established to coordinate the response, and the group greenlighted the salvage plan this week.
Seventeen compartments, including the barge's 10 fuel cargo tanks, have been pressurized and sealed with customized lids to allow air to be pumped in to displace water and create positive buoyancy, the Coast Guard said. Two tugboats will be used to pull and control the barge as it is refloated from the rocks.
Following removal from the rocks, another assessment of the barge will be performed before final tow to Pier 16 or an area outside of San Juan Harbor in case of an emergency.
“San Juan Harbor is Puerto Rico's main seaport,” said Lt. Cmdr. Ray Lopez, incident commander, U.S. Coast Guard. “Following the removal of the barge from the rocks off San Felipe del Morro, our primary operational priority is to protect the maritime transportation system and ensure that the channel remains safe and open.”
Assessments of coral and marine life were conducted to mitigate potential impacts during removal operations.
Salvors removed approximately 1,000 gals. of residual fuel and oily water from the barge last week as part of salvage preparations.
A moving safety zone will be in effect around the barge until further notice. The Coast Guard has advised mariners and boaters to stay clear of the barge at all times.
WorkBoat has reached out to the Coast Guard Southeast District for additional information on which contractor and tugs are being used in the salvage operation.
