Rough sea conditions are hindering efforts to salvage a tank barge that ran aground at the entrance of San Juan’s harbor, as reported by Puerto Rico’s governor. The fuel barge, named Defiant, became stranded on Monday near Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a notable landmark. It was caught between a rock breakwater and a riprap revetment, leaving it trapped in a narrow, rocky area. Video footage captured the vessel being tossed by the heavy surf.
On Tuesday, US Coast Guard spokesman Ricardo Castrodad indicated that a fuel spill might have occurred during the grounding, as a diesel smell was detected, although no leak has been confirmed. The turbulent waters make it challenging to identify any slicks. The barge is thought to have a small residual amount of about 1,000 gallons of light diesel left after its last stop, with only a minor amount of diesel remaining for its generators.
Governor Jenniffer González stated that responders are awaiting better weather conditions for salvage operations, expected later in the week. With waves reaching heights of 10 to 12 feet, removal efforts are currently impractical. The plan is to tow the barge off the rocks as soon as conditions improve. Meanwhile, a danger warning remains in effect for the northern shoreline due to hazardous surf and potential coastal flooding.
