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US salvors prepare to remove grounded barge in Puerto Rico
Salvors are preparing to refloat a grounded and damaged barge off a rocky shore in Puerto Rico
A team of salvors are preparing to refloat a grounded barge after it became stuck on the rocky shore off San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico.
The US Coast Guard said salvors have removed around 3,785 litres of residual fuel and oily water from grounded barge, Defiant, which thwarted earlier refloating attempts.
On 14-15 February, salvage crews brought in additional equipment to assess the extent of the barge damage and to test its tanks and voids for pressurisation.
A salvage plan was devised to remove the barge from rocks off the San Felipe del Morro Castle shoreline, which will be updated by salvors with any new information, and then approved by the captain of San Juan port.
“With the removal of residual fuel, we have substantially reduced the immediate threat to the marine environment,” said US Coast Guard San Juan sector incident commander Ray Lopez. “We will continue to monitor the area closely as salvors and responders work diligently to prepare and condition the barge for its removal.”
Defiant grounded at 1200 on 9 February 2026, and the US Coast Guard established a safety zone around the vessel.
“Removal of the barge will take as long as necessary to ensure the safety of the responders while minimising impacts to the marine environment and protecting the integrity of the Port of San Juan’s maritime transport system,” said Lt Cmdr Lopez.
“Weather is playing a significant role in this response,” he said, adding there had been no injuries nor evidence of pollution to date.
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