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The San Juan Cruise Port, which operates the San Juan piers, has stated that efforts are underway to restore operations at the damaged Pier 3 West after the U.S. Coast Guard mandated that the facility remains closed to cruise vessels until further notice.
Royal Caribbean Cruise has canceled another stop in Puerto Rico for the Symphony of the Seas that started Sunday from the Port of Miami due to the damage to Pier 3 West in Old San Juan, as reported by Seatrade Cruise News.
This marks the second occasion that Symphony of the Seas has had to skip San Juan because of the pier issue, with its Nov. 17 cruise from Miami also being affected.
In a message to travelers, Royal Caribbean expressed: “Due to issues with the pier and the necessary work that must be completed and approved by the USCG for accommodating a ship of our size, we will need to modify our sailing itinerary.” The updated path for Symphony omits St. Maarten, with stops now including Labadee and Falmouth (Jamaica).
Earlier in April, the U.S. Coast Guard prohibited cruise ship operations at San Juan Harbor’s Pier 3 West following an incident that led to the loss of a dolphin mooring structure adjacent to the main pier. The USCG has indicated it is waiting for requested satisfactory assessment reports before conducting an on-site inspection of the facility.
Following the April incident, the USCG sent out a facility inspection requirements form to San Juan Cruise Port and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, informing them about the operational control protocols until adequate mooring and berthing studies on the structure were submitted for review.
Luis J. Rodriguez, commander of USCG Sector San Juan and captain of the port, informed the outlet that Pier 3 West accommodates the world’s largest cruise ships. After the loss of the facility’s mooring structure, Coast Guard Prevention personnel have been collaborating with San Juan Cruise Port and the Ports Authority to assess the structural integrity for cruise ship operations.
“We recognize the inconvenience this situation presents; however, it is essential to ensure the safety of the port, the cruise ships, and the thousands of individuals who operate or visit the island through this port facility,” Rodriguez stated. “My team is prepared to proceed immediately once we receive the necessary studies from San Juan Cruise Port and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority.”
