Salvors refloat grounded barge off San Juan Harbor port entrance

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