Multimedia Release: Coast Guard, partner agencies in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands prepare for Hurricane Maria

united states coast guard 

Multimedia Release  

Sept. 18, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
Contact: Coast Guard Puerto Rico PA Office
Office: 787-729-2381
After Hours: 787-510-7923


Coast Guard, partner agencies in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands prepare for Hurricane Maria

The Coast Guard and its partner agencies in the St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands prepare to safely relocate in preparation of Hurricane Maria, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017.

 Customs and Border Protection employees depart the Coast Guard Cutter Heriberto Hernandez after arriving in San Juan, Puerto Rico in preparation of reconstitution and recovery efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands due to Hurricane Maria Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. Coast Guard Cutter Yellowfin returns to port in San Juan, Puerto Rico after departing the U.S. Virgin Islands due to Hurricane Maria Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. Federal employees depart the Coast Guard Cutter Yellowfin in San Juan, Puerto Rico to prepare for reconstitution and recovery efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands due to Hurricane Maria, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017.

Editor's Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The U.S. Coast Guard is relocating personnel, cutters and aircraft Monday from areas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico expected to be impacted by Hurricane Maria.

The Coast Guard’s first priority is to ensure safety of life at sea and that the public and our people remain safe as Hurricane Maria approaches the area. After the Hurricane, the Coast Guard will resume port reconstitution efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and respond to any maritime search and rescue situations in the area once conditions are safe for Coast Guard assets to deploy.

“We are relocating our personnel and assets to protect them from Hurricane Maria and strategically position them so that they are readily available to respond to Coast Guard missions in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands once the conditions are safe, said Capt. Eric P. King, Coast Guard Captain of the Port San Juan.  “Our priorities following the hurricane are the safety of our personnel and the public and to inspect facilities and navigable channels in order to reopen the ports and reestablish maritime commerce to the islands as soon as possible.

As the Coast Guard prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Maria to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, boaters, mariners and beach goers need to realize that Search and Rescue capabilities will be limited until conditions are safe for Coast Guard surface and air assets to deploy.

For information on Hurricane Irma progress and hurricane preparedness, please visit the National Hurricane Center's webpage.

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-USCG-