Pier 11; San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico | 1988-Aug-28

Initial Notification: During a routine harbor patrol at Pier 11 on August 28, 1988, the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office (MSO), San Juan, Puerto Rico, discovered three damaged 25-gallon drums of hydrofluoric acid. One of the drums was leaking and emitting fumes. There were scattered showers and, as a result, what appeared to be a large puddle of acid and water on the concrete pier. The MSO contacted the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board (EQB) and the facility owner, who assumed responsibility. The shipper hired an environmental services company to enter the area and survey the scene. With the MSO entry team, wearing Level B protective gear, acting backup, the contractor Level B team entered the area and found one drum empty, one damaged with a loss of about eight gallons, and the third damaged but intact. The large puddle of acid and water was found to have pH readings of between 2 and 5. USCG district 7.