DATE: October 26, 2009 12:29:33 PM EDT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

US COAST GUARD
News Release

Date:  Oct. 26, 2009

Contact: Ricardo Castrodad
787-510-7923
Coast Guard ends Safety Zone in San Juan Harbor

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The Captain of the Port San Juan rescinded a Safety Zone established at the southern end of San Juan Harbor Sunday afternoon following the explosion Friday at the Caribbean Petroleum Corporation tank farm in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

All maritime operations in San Juan Harbor returned to normal after the fire was extinguished by fire fighters Sunday morning.

“We will continue to support the Environmental Protection Agency as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator and the Government of Puerto Rico for the Caribbean Petroleum Corporation tank farm explosion response," said Capt. Eduardo Pino, Sector San Juan commander.

Coast Guard National Strike Force response personnel have been supporting the Federal On-Scene Coordinator and local authorities since Friday by collecting water samples and conducting 24-hour air-monitoring operations throughout the incident site and the Municipalities of Bayamón, Toa Baja, and Cataño, Puerto Rico.  National Strike Force personnel continue to assist Monday to coordinate cleaning operations at the Caribbean Petroleum Corporation tank farm.

Coast Guard Sector San Juan personnel supporting the Incident Command Post relocated Monday to the new Incident Command Post location at the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Office in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

The National Strike Force is a special team under the National Contingency Plan designed to support the Federal On-Scene Coordinator during oil discharges and hazardous materials releases.

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