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Eight stowaways found on towed barge
The U.S. Coast Guard busted a group of eight stowaways on a barge in San Juan's harbour on May 22, 2026. The Sector San Juan received a report from CBP's Air and Marine Operations Centre, which reported that possible stowaways had been spotted aboard the barge, which was connected to the 'Southern Dawn', which had sailed from Jacksonville, Florida, on May 16 enroute to Puerto Rico, maintaining a steady speed of 7-8 knots throughout the voyage and making no foreign port calls, stops or diversions. Though the tug had been on a domestic route, the migrants had managed to get on board the towed barge at some point before the arrival in San Juan. Four Chinese nationals and four Dominican Republic nationals were apprehended by a Coast Guard boat and were transferred to CBP for processing at the Puerto Nuevo Terminals in San Juan's harbour. It was unclear whether the stowaways boarded the barge in Jacksonville or at sea, and why they attempted to reach Puerto Rico rather than Florida. The tug has since returned to Jacksonville. Report with photos: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4502822/coast-guard-homeland-security-task-force-san-juan-region-partner-agencies-appre/
Coast Guard rescued tow migrants who jumped from towed barge
A boat of the US Coast Guard Station San Juan escued two migrants on Dec 28, after they jumped into the water from the barge 'Charlotte Bridge', while transiting San Juan Harbour to evade law enforcement at approximately 10 a.m. The barge was being towed into San Juan Harbor by the 'Southern Dawn'. The crew of the tug suspected at least two unauthorised individuals were hidden aboard the barge. In response, the Coast Guard Station San Juan launched a small boat to assist. Both men were rescued from the water and brought safely to shore, where they were taken into custody by Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations personnel. The Coast Guard crew escorted the tug and barge safely to their berth. Once the vessels arrived pier side, a Sector San Juan boarding team, along with CBP Office of Field Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Puerto Rico Police Department, conducted a security boarding to ensure no additional unauthorised people remained aboard the barge. Report with photo: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4368048/coast-guard-rescues-2-aliens-after-they-jump-from-barge-in-san-juan-harbor/
Looted container barge refloated
The 'Brooklyn Bridge' was successfully refloated on Nov 15 off Abaco Bahamas, about three miles from shore, after breaking lose from the 'Southern Dawn' enroute from Florida to Puerto Rico on Nov. 11. A dive survey later determined the vessel sustained no hull damage, and no pollution was reported. After the grounding, roughly 50 individuals had boarded the stranded vessel and removed cargo, prompting calls to the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, and Bahamian authorities. Bahamian police were dispatched but did not directly intervene due to concerns about escalating the situation. Several small craft went alongside the barge and loaded with boxed goods, and other cargo. Individuals were seen climbing the barge’s pigeonholes to access the deck. The barge was underway back to Jacksonville as of Nov 16 following a second dive inspection and regulatory clearance to sail. A follow-up team will remove any debris from the seafloor around the grounding site. The cargo aboard the 'Brooklyn Bridge' included food, electronics, medical equipment, and other household goods destined for Puerto Rico. Trailer Bridge is one of three Jones Act carriers providing weekly service to the island. Trailer Bridge operates two roll-on/roll-off vessels and two load-on/load-off barges between Jacksonville and San Juan. Report with photos: https://www.workboat.com/trailer-bridge-barge-refloated-after-grounding-looting-incident-in-the-bahamas
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