SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The Unified Command approved the final salvage plan to remove the grounded barge, Defiant, from the rocks off the San Felipe del Morro Castle shoreline, Monday.
The removal is scheduled to happen during high tide as soon as logistic arrangements are finalized and weather and sea conditions allow.
Assessments of coral and marine life were conducted to mitigate potential impacts during removal operations.
The final barge assessments were completed. Seventeen compartments, including the barge’s 10 fuel cargo tanks, were pressurized and sealed with customized lids so air can be pumped into them to displace any water and create positive buoyancy. Two tugboats will be used to pull and control the barge as it is being refloated from the rocks. Following the 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.”
A moving safety zone will be in effect around the barge until further notice. Mariners and boaters are advised to stay clear of the barge at all times.
The Defiant barge grounded at approximately noon, Feb. 9, just off the Port of San Juan harbor entrance. There were no reported injuries.
Read the previous press releases:
Update: Unified Command continues salvage operations for grounded barge off San Juan Harbor
Coast Guard stands up unified command for barge grounding off San Juan Harbor
For the latest information on the grounding and response efforts, follow Sector San Juan.
More information about the U.S. Coast Guard can be found at www.uscg.mil. Follow us on X and Instagram, like us on Facebook.
-USCG-