The Coast Guard is investigating the grounding of Sabre Spirit, a 190-foot Panamanian flag cargo ship, after the vessel ran aground Friday morning.
According to the Coast Guard, Sector San Juan learned of the incident from Sabre Spirit at approximately 10 a.m. Friday when the crew reported the ship had run aground. A short time later, Sabre Spirit radioed the Coast Guard that the vessel had been refloated with the rising tide and was taking on water.
The incident took place just off Current Cut, between the islands of Saint Thomas and Great Saint James. The Sabre Spirit was transiting from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands to Charlotte Amalie with a 12-man crew. No injuries were reported.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment and Boat Forces from St. Thomas immediately responded and notified Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency of the developing situation. Sea Tow Virgin Islands arrived on scene and accomplished temporary repairs to Sabre Spirit, which allowed the vessel to be escorted into Crown Bay, whereas of Friday afternoon it was moored while crews conduct further damage assessments.
There was no sign of oil pollution leaking from the vessel, the Coast Guard said, and the vessel did not present a threat to the environment.
"The cause of the grounding is under investigation,” said Capt. Drew W. Pearson, Sector San Juan commander. “The close interagency coordination and response from Sea Tow and the Coast Guard averted an environmental tragedy in U.S. Virgin Island waters.”
