SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The passenger ferry vessel Caribbean Fantasy was refloated around 10 p.m. Friday by shifting sea state and is holding position approximately four miles north of Punta Salinas.
A tow line was established around 2 a.m. Saturday by tug boats. Salvage teams are monitoring the tow line.
Dive teams inspected the vessel's hull around 8 a.m. Saturday and reported no significant damage.
Ardent, the responding salvage company, finalized a vessel salvage and towing plan that was approved by the Coast Guard. The vessel is scheduled to be towed Saturday to Pier 15 in San Juan Harbor.
Fire fighting teams were able to access the engine room Saturday morning and reported that only a single source of fire contained in the engine room remains.
The Unified Command plans to continue salvage efforts Saturday after the vessel is towed to Pier 15.
The Coast Guard has established and is enforcing a safety zone around the vessel. There have been no reports of sheening or pollution near the vessel at this time. The vessel is being closely monitored and booming has been deployed at the intakes for the Palo Seco Power Plant as a precautionary measure against potential discharge from the vessel. There has also been 14,000-feet of booming pre-staged near Punta Salinas.
A joint marine casualty investigation with the Coast Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board, RINA Services and the flag state, Panama, is underway.
The Caribbean Fantasy Response Unified Command consists of the Coast Guard, the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board, the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and Baja Ferries (owner of the Caribbean Fantasy).
Also assisting the response efforts are the American Cruise Ferries, Ardent Global, the Department of Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Response Corporation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, O'Brien's Response Management, the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency and the Puerto Rico Fire Department.
For media inquiries contact the Joint Information Center at (787) 729-2381 listed below for incident response inquiries and interviews.
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