VIDEO: Salvage plan for grounded barge Defiant approved

USCG Photo

A unified command yesterday approved the final salvage plan to remove the grounded barge, Defiant, from the rocks off the San Felipe del Morro Castle shoreline, Puerto Rico.

As we reported earlier, the unified command was established by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, and the barge’s owner (identified in local media coverage as Harbor Bunkering) after the barge grounded on February 9.

Prior to approval of the final salvage plan, 1,000 gallons of residual fuel and oily water were removed from the Defiant, with salvage crews bringing in additional equipment to assess the extent of the barge damage and to test all tanks and voids for pressurization.

The 265-foot barge, was being towed inbound to San Juan Harbor from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, just before the incident occurred and the barge grounded at approximately noon. The cause of the grounding is under investigation.

The Coast Guard said yesterday that removal of the barge 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.

In preparation for the removal effort, the final barge assessments were completed. Seventeen compartments, including the Defiant’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 Defiant 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.