Port of Long Beach Launches Salvage Operations
Salvage operations are underway at the Port of Long Beach following an incident on September 9, where approximately 75 shipping containers fell from the cargo ship Mississippi. A unified command, comprising federal, state, and local agencies, has gathered to oversee the recovery efforts and ensure the safety of maritime operations. As operations progress, officials remain focused on minimizing disruptions to the busy port while addressing a fuel leak from an emissions control barge.
Salvage Efforts and Ongoing Operations
In the aftermath of the incident, the unified command met at the Port of Long Beach’s joint command and control center on September 10 to strategize the response. Two sunken cargo containers were successfully retrieved from the harbor basin, and responders have contained a fuel leak from a barge that was alongside the Mississippi. The barge contained around 2,000 gallons of renewable diesel, which posed a potential environmental risk.
Despite the incident, cargo operations at the port have largely continued without interruption. However, a 500-yard safety zone has been established around the Mississippi, which was carrying 2,412 containers when the containers began to fall at approximately 8:48 a.m. on September 9. The Coast Guard, in collaboration with Jacobsen Port Pilots and the Port of Long Beach, is actively managing navigation within this safety zone to ensure the ongoing safety of maritime activities.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson addressed the public’s concerns regarding the potential impacts on cargo flow, emphasizing the importance of the Port of Long Beach as the nation’s second-busiest seaport. He reassured residents that officials are taking the situation seriously and are working diligently to restore port activities. One minor injury has been reported related to the incident, underscoring the need for safety during recovery operations.
Investigation and Public Safety Measures
The investigation into the cause of the container fall is being led by the U.S. Coast Guard in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board. As part of the investigation, sonar surveys are being conducted to locate the estimated 25 to 30 containers still submerged in the harbor. Recovered containers have been moved to a designated area surrounded by a boom to prevent any further environmental impact.
Officials are urging the public and non-responding personnel to steer clear of the affected area until further notice. The Coast Guard is broadcasting hourly marine safety information to inform mariners about navigation hazards in the vicinity. Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero has commended the quick response from all involved parties, emphasizing the importance of safety and commerce in the port’s operations.
