The Unified Command has announced all 95 containers that fell overboard from the vessel Mississippi at Pier G have been recovered in and around the Port of Long Beach.
Early counts for the number of containers overboard increased from the original estimate as some units were crushed, submerged, or hidden from view in the nearby boat basin.
At approximately 3:28 p.m., the final container was lifted from the water, marking the end of salvage operations for the incident.
Coast Guard Capt. Stacey Crecy, Coast Guard Incident Commander, said: “Every decision during the Pier G Container Incident was centred on safety, whether it was divers working to recover containers in the basin or around the hull, evaluating vessel transits through the safety zone, or crews conducting container operations day and night.
“By bringing in experts from across the country and working closely with the Port of Long Beach and our partners, we completed a complex salvage operation and restored safe operations within a few weeks.”
Recent response actions include:
- Deploying side-scan sonar and remotely operated vehicles to locate submerged containers.
- Using dive teams to inspect the bottom of the cargo vessel Mississippi and assist in recovering containers around the vessel.
- Repositioning the vessel with a tug, pilot vessels, and line handlers to access containers trapped beneath the bottom of the vessel.
- Reducing a 500-yard safety zone to a 100-yard safety zone as operations moved forward.
- maintaining hourly Safety Marine Information Broadcasts to keep mariners informed.
All vessel traffic restrictions were lifted following the completion of the dive operations on 26 September, and vessel transits near Pier G no longer require Captain of the port approval.
A total of 142 vessel transits were authorised during the salvage operations phase of the response, ensuring continued operations in the busy port complex.
The Pollution Response, Salvage, and Marine Transportation System Recovery groups have since been demobilised.
Pier G terminal operations have been fully restored, and port traffic is now continuing without restrictions.
Michael Goldschmidt, Port of Long Beach Incident Commander, stated: “This was an extremely rare event that required a complex and unique salvage operation.
“We are grateful to the Coast Guard, vessel managers, salvage teams, and the highly skilled ILWU workers for expediting a safe and speedy return to normal operations.”
Last week, the Port of Long Beach released a draft environmental study for public review, examining the proposed demolition of the Gold Bond gypsum wallboard manufacturing facility at 1850 Pier B Street.
