CNBNews

Coast Guard Captain of the Port San Juan announced, Wednesday, that San Juan Port’s Pier-3 West remains closed to cruise-ships until further notice pending requested satisfactory assessment studies followed by a Coast Guard on-site inspection of the facility.   In April 2024, the Coast Guard established an operational control disallowing cruise ship operations on San Juan Harbor’s Pier-3 West, following an incident at the facility which resulted in the loss of a dolphin mooring structure just off the main pier. Following the incident, the Coast Guard issued a Facility Inspection Requirements form CG-835(f) to San Juan Cruise Port and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority notifying the established operational control until satisfactory mooring and berthing studies on the structure were provided to the Coast Guard for evaluation. “One of the Coast Guard’s top priorities is safety of the nation’s maritime port facilities,” said Capt. Luis J. Rodriguez, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan and Captain of the Port – San Juan. “San Juan’s Pier-3 West receives the largest cruise ships in the world. Since the loss of the facility's mooring structure, Coast Guard Prevention personnel have been actively working with the San Juan Cruise Port and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority to determine if the structure remains sound for cruise ship operations. We understand the inconvenience of this matter, however, it is critical we ensure the safety of the port, the cruise ships and the thousands of people who operate on or visit the island through this port facility.  My team stands ready to move ahead immediately once we receive the awaited studies from San Juan Cruise Port and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority.”