Marine salvors have refloated and removed a grounded barge from the Castillo San Felipe del Morro shoreline, Wednesday.
Response personnel and contracted salvors successfully refloated the barge at approximately 2:22 a.m. (local time) just before the arrival of high tide.
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.
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.
A tugboat successfully pulled the barge off the rocks with the assistance of the incoming tide.
When the vessel refloated, salvors and the US coast guard unified command responders assessed the condition of the barge, ensured the vessel was stable, floating properly and that pressure was holding steady prior to the captain of the port authorizing the continued transit.
During refloating, US 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.
As it is reported, the San Juan Port resumed normal operations and is open to all vessel traffic.
“We would like to thank Unified Command partner agencies, 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 safety of 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,” added Lt. Cmdr. Ray Lopez, coast guard unified commander for the 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 partner agencies, crews and personnel who took part in this effort. The excellent work and technical expertise from the salvors ensured a successful refloat.”
