Cargo Ship Runs Aground in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

A Vanuatu-flagged roll-on/roll-off cargo ship has run aground in adverse weather conditions just south of the airport in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning after the 195-foot Bonnie G reported taking on water, forcing the crew to abandon ship.

All 12 were subsequently rescued by a U.S. Coast Guard boat crew with no injuries reported. However, the ship reportedly has over 13,000 gallons of fuel and oil on board, sparking environmental concerns.

Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan immediately launched a rescue mission after receiving VHF marine radio communication from the Bonnie G at 3:41 a.m., reporting the vessel was taking on water in the engine room and that the people onboard were abandoning ship onto two life rafts and a lifeboat.

Coast Guard watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to alert vessels in the area. Crewmembers at Boat Forces Detachment St. Thomas launched a 33-foot Special Purpose Craft to provide rescue assistance. Once on scene, the boat crew embarked all 12 survivors and transported them to Crown Bay Marina.

The Bonnie G is reported to have about 13,000 gallons of fuel and around 250 gallons of lube oil on board. Additionally, the vessel was carrying six cars, a truck, a trailer, and two pallets of cargo. The Coast Guard has also notified the National Response Center and local authorities in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“This vessel grounding was a very close call and I commend our watchstanders and responding boat crew for their efforts rendering assistance to the people who were aboard the Bonnie G and bringing them to safe harbor,” said Capt. José E. Díaz, commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan. “There is still much work ahead of us to investigate and learn the causal factors of this incident. One of our main priorities is to assess the pollution threat from this vessel and ensure risks are properly managed and potentially hazardous chemicals are removed as quickly and safely as possible to maintain and protect the pristine waters of the U.S. Virgin Islands.”

Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment and response personnel in the U.S. Virgin Islands are collaborating with the Bonnie G’s owner to evaluate the existing pollution risk.

The Coast Guard is conducting an investigation into the incident.

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