Salvors have completed fuel removal operations, Monday, as assessments and preparations continue to remove the grounded barge from the rocks off the San Felipe del Morro Castle shoreline.
The 265-foot fuel barge ran aground on February 9 off the San Juan Harbor port entrance by the San Felipe del Morro Castle in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
No injuries or missing crew members have been reported. The US Coast Guard established a 200-yard safety zone around the vessel until further notice.
The barge was reportedly being towed inbound to San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, just before the grounding occurred. The cause of the grounding is under investigation.
Approximately, 1,000 gallons of residual fuel and oily water were removed from the vessel, the US Coast Guard said on Feb 17.
“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 extent of the barge damage and to test all tanks and voids for pressurization. The proposed plan to remove the barge is under review pending updates from salvors and final 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 noted. “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.”
