Salvors have lightered bulk diesel fuel from a luxury yacht that grounded on a reef just off Flamenco Beach in Culebra, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
The 72-foot sailing catamaran Obsession was reportedly traveling with four people on board from Puerto Rico to the British Virgin Islands when it struck a reef during a stop in Culebra on July 21. No injuries were reported.
The fuel removal was conducted by Resolve Marine and Clean Harbors, LLC crews and consisted of the estimated 800 to 1,500 gallons of diesel aboard the four fuel tanks and day tank onboard the vessel.
Throughout the response, personnel from the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and NOAA conducted preliminary underwater assessments to determine the impacts on the reef caused by the vessel grounding. Thus far, they have been able to recover and safeguard various species of live corals that will be used to rehabilitate the impacted area.
“We are pleased that this significant milestone to remove the substantial pollution threat presented by the bulk fuel onboard has been successfully completed, however, this response is far from over as we continue working with the owner and the interagency team to quantify and remove the remaining pollution…