The 265‑foot fuel barge Defiant ran aground near the entrance to San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico, while being towed from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands on February 9, 2026. All crew are reported safe, and no pollution has been observed.
The barge grounded on rocks outside the main navigable channel near Castillo San Felipe del Morro in surf and rough conditions. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that no crew injuries or missing persons have been reported. At the time of the incident, there were no visible signs of pollution.
Initial assessments suggest that the vessel may not have been laden with fuel at the time of grounding, though response teams are conducting further inspection to confirm.
The Coast Guard established a safety zone around the site and continues monitoring the situation. Vessel traffic through the harbor remains open.The cause of the grounding is under investigation, and response teams are assessing salvage and environmental considerations. Mariners are advised to avoid the area until further notice.
