Spills · grounding

Barge defiant grounding; el morro national park, san juan, puerto rico

NOAAORR-11119

issued
2026-02-09 00:00Z
status
cancelled 2026-02-23 00:00Z
self-cancels
2026-02-23 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
North Atlantic Ocean
position
18.472, -66.125
vessels
BARGE DEFIANT · 5 messagesBARGE DEFIANT GROUNDINGTUG STORMBARGE TANKS
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Barge Defiant Grounding; El Morro National Park, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
FVCG+HM5, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico.
1. On February 9, 2026, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector San Juan contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) at approximately 1215 EST to report that the 265-foot barge Defiant had broken free from the tow line from the tug Storm and run hard aground on the rocks at the base of El Morro, a National Park Service property. According to initial reports, the barge tanks were empty at the time of grounding except for residual and clingage. Some operating fuels are onboard on the deck. Amounts of oils are still being assessed and confirmed, but appear to be minimal at this time. Seas are high and salvage efforts are likely to be delayed and difficult. USCVG will provide more information when available. NOAA has begun developing a resources at risk report and is standing by for further information and support as requested.
2. THREAT: OIL. TAGS: GROUNDING.
3. POSITION 18.472N 066.125W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 11119: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/11119

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