MV Sea Astride; Cabo Rojo, PR

Cabo Rojo, PR | 2005-Jun-10

Initial Notification: During the evening of June 9, 2005 the M/V Sea Astride, a 150 foot Haitian coastal freighter was adrift with no power and taking on water 3/4 miles off Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. The vessel grounded at 17-59.04N, 067-13.365W in 12-15 feet of water. The vessel remained firmly aground and water entered the vessel's engine room. No pollution has been observed outside of the hull. The vessel is reported to have 2000 gallons of diesel and 250 gallons of lube oil on board. NOAA provided trajectory, weather, oil fate, and resources at risk information for the incident. NOAA coordinated with local resource managers and divers to evaluate potential risk to area natural resources. On 13 July the vessel had been refloated and taken into port in San Juan. Approval to sink the vessel offshore was requested and approved (after most pollution removed. On 26 August 2005, the vessel was towed to deep water and scuttled 12-15 nm northeast of San Juan.