Vessel Salvage Ops Continue in Puerto Rico

The Hurricane Maria ESF-10 Puerto Rico response team continued Wednesday assessing and removing storm-ravaged vessels from targeted sites throughout the island.

Crews conducted boater outreach in Isleta Maria, and surveys in Ponce and Cabo Rojo. Salvage crews also conducted dive assessments in Isleta Maria and crane-barge operations in Puerto Chico.

Additionally, the team on Monday removed the last of five vessels targeted for removal in Las Croabas. Saturday, salvage crews used a crane barge to remove a sailboat that was previously  blocking the roadway in north Fajardo.

As of today, response teams have identified 368 impacted vessels, with 166 of those cases closed. Teams have made contact with 199 owners, and responded to 33 pollution reports.

Pollution prevention specialists have dewatered 7,000 gallons of oily water mixture and collected 4 cubic yards of oily debris from vessels.

The ESF-10 Puerto Rico is removing damaged vessels, which pose pollution and environmental threats, at no cost or penalty to the vessel owners. Under the direction of the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, the goal is to remove each vessel while mitigating public health risk, preserving native habitat, and increasing the Commonwealth’s ability to reconstitute.