SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The Unified Command managing response efforts for the Defiant barge grounding response announced the successful refloating and removal of the barge from the Castillo San Felipe del Morro shoreline, Wednesday.
The Unified Command for the response stood down after response personnel and contracted salvors successfully refloated Defiant at approximately 2:22 a.m., just before the arrival of high tide.
Salvage crews and tugboat operators prepositioned three tugboats and completed all the preparations, including the pressurization of all cargo tanks, voids and compartments in the barge. The tugboat, Lobo Grande, successfully pulled the barge off the rocks with the assistance of the incoming tide.
When the vessel refloated, salvors and the Unified Command responders assessed the condition of the barge, ensured the vessel was stable, and that pressure held steady prior to the captain of the port authorizing the continued transit.
During refloating, Coast Guard and partner agency marine units assisted with maintaining a 500-yard safety zone throughout the barge’s transit inside San Juan Harbor until its destination at Pier 16, where it is currently moored.
The San Juan Port resumed normal operations and is open to all vessel traffic.
“We would like to thank the Unified Command partners, the Puerto Rico government and all federal agencies who collaborated in this effort,” said Capt. Luis J. Rodríguez, Coast Guard Sector San Juan commander and captain of the port. “Working together, each played a vital role in safeguarding the San Juan Port maritime transportation system, protecting the marine environment and ensuring the safety of all responders.”
“The removal of the 265-foot barge from the mouth of San Juan Bay was a highly complex and sensitive operation,” said Lt. Cmdr. Ray Lopez, Coast Guard unified commander for the Defiant barge grounding response. “The salvors understood the challenges and took all necessary precautions to ensure the safe removal of the barge, and its relocation to a facility for assessment and repair without incident. We are truly appreciative and grateful to all Unified Command partners, crews and personnel who took part in this effort. The excellent work and technical expertise from the salvors ensured a successful refloat."
“We thank the entire team for their commitment and collaboration,” said Eng. Amarilys Rosario, Department of Natural and Environmental Resources unified commander for the Defiant barge grounding response. “This successful operation reflects the professionalism, coordination, teamwork, and readiness of everyone involved.”
Agencies and marine industry companies participating in this response: U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan, U.S. Coast Guard Salvage Engineering Response Team, Station San Juan, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, Puerto Rico Ports Authority, Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau, San Juan Municipal Police, Fire Department, Puerto Rico Cultural Institute, Harbor Bunkering Corp., Donjon-SMIT.
Read the previous press releases:
Update: Unified Command briefs salvage plan for Defiant barge grounding off San Juan Harbor
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.
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