Southern-Dawn

A boat of the US Coast Guard Station San Juan escued two migrantss on Dec 28, after they jumped into the water from the barge 'Charlotte Bridge' while transiting San Juan Harbor 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/

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

A mechanical failure occurred on Nov 11, 2025, on the 'Southern Dawn', which had encountered severe winds while travelling to Puerto Rico. The adverse weather caused a tow wire to the towed barge 'Brooklyn Bridge' (IMO: 8639077) to fail, grounding the tug off the Bahamian coast in pos. 26° 59' N 077° 15' W. The 'Brooklyn Bridge' remained in place awaiting recovery when a looting began. The Trailer Bridge barge, which positioned about three miles off the Bahamas, was targeted by approximately 50 looters on Nov 13, prompting the shipping company to seek immediate help from U.S. and Bahamian authorities. A large group boarded the barge and began stealing cargo, leading the company to alert the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy. The Bahamian police also sent a unit to the location, but officers stated they would not intervene directly because they were concerned the situation could escalate. The barge was actively being robbed. The safety of the company’s personnel remained the top priority and both U.S. and Bahamian authorities had been notified. Trailer Bridge, based in Jacksonville, Florida, operates two roll-on/roll-off vessels and two load-on/load-off vessels between Jacksonville and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The company said updates would be provided once the situation has been stabilised and the barge fully secured. Report with photo: https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/about-50-looters-board-rob-barge-anchored-off-bahamas-after-tug-breakdown/?fbclid=Iwb21leAOF5ddjbGNrA4Xjt2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAhjYWxsc2l0ZQIyNQABHjSGotXuPkKDb61CAhE88UEggiu0yuPoJqpidz1yyz5w609oBk8AQWQVqEhL_aem_WWmHDPDGRPaV-g9d7W6eTA