Salvors Extract Diesel Fuel from Grounded Luxury Yacht in Puerto Rico

Salvors successfully lightered bulk diesel fuel from the luxury yacht Obsession, which ran aground on a reef near Flamenco Beach in Culebra, Puerto Rico. The 72-foot sailing catamaran was en route from Puerto Rico to the British Virgin Islands with four people on board when it struck the reef on July 21. Thankfully, no injuries were reported during the incident.

Resolve Marine and Clean Harbors, LLC crews worked together to remove an estimated 800 to 1,500 gallons of diesel from the vessel’s fuel tanks. The Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, along with NOAA, conducted underwater assessments to determine the impact on the reef caused by the grounding. They were able to recover and protect various species of live corals for rehabilitation.

As efforts continue to develop an interagency plan to remove the vessel, caretaking activities are ongoing to monitor the vessel’s condition and stability. An emergency Endangered Species Act consultation was initiated to protect species and critical habitats in the area. The Coast Guard federalized pollution response efforts and established an Incident Command for the vessel Obsession, with collaboration from various agencies to protect the marine environment.

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