Salvors have completed operations to remove residual fuel from a barge that grounded near San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The 265' fuel barge Defiant has been stuck atop the rocks off the San Felipe del Morro Castle shoreline, near the Port of San Juan harbor entrance, since going hard aground on Feb. 9.
The barge, which was not laden at the time of the incident, was being pushed by the tugboat Storm from from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. No injuries were reported.
The U.S. Coast Guard has established a 200-yard safety zone around the vessel.
Approximately 1,000 gals. of residual fuel and oily water have been removed from the barge as preparations continue to remove the barge from the rocks, the Coast Guard said.
“With the removal of residual fuel, we have substantially reduced the immediate threat to the marine environment,” said Lt. Cmdr. Ray Lopez, Coast Guard incident commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan.
Over the weekend, salvage crews brought in additional equipment to assess the barge damage and test all tanks and voids for pressurization. The salvage plan is under review pending updates from salvors and approval from the captain of the port.
“We will continue to monitor the area closely as salvors and responders work diligently to prepare and condition the barge for its removal,” Lopez said. “Removal of the barge will take as long as necessary to ensure the safety of the responders while minimizing impacts to the marine environment and protecting the integrity of the Port of San Juan’s maritime transportation system.”
