Coast Guard members and salvage contractors observe crane operations in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Nov. 19, 2017.
The Maria ESF-10 PR Unified Command, consisting of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, U.S. Coast Guard, in conjunction with the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Control Board, Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. and Fish & Wildlife Service, is responding to vessels found to be damaged, displaced, submerged or sunken.
Part of the ESF-10 mission is protecting sensitive habitat and threatened and endangered species from the impacts of pollution caused by damaged vessels.
The ESF-10 is the framework by which federal support is coordinated with state agencies in response to actual or potential oil spills or hazardous material releases.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Lauren Steenson.