SALVAGE OPERATIONS PROGRESS IN PIER G CONTAINER INCIDENT

The Unified Command continues to make progress in salvage operations at the Port of Long Beach following the cargo vessel Mississippi container incident that occurred Tuesday, Sept. 9.

The Container Recovery Group, working alongside salvage crews and members of the highly skilled International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), has recovered 54 containers from the pier and water, up from 32 containers as of Sunday, Sept. 14. Crews continue to conduct operations shoreside and waterside to safely recover the remaining containers.

"Safety continues to be the highest priority as the Port of Long Beach collaborates with the U.S. Coast Guard, vessel operators, salvage teams and ILWU workers through the next phases of recovery," said Michael Goldschmidt, Port of Long Beach Incident Commander for the Pier G Container Incident response. "Our goal is to resolve this incident safely while ensuring goods continue to move in a timely manner through this vital gateway for trans-Pacific trade."

In addition to recovering fallen containers, unaffected containers aboard the cargo ship Mississippi are being unloaded to safely access to the damaged emissions control barge. When the barge is cleared away, salvage crews and longshore workers will be able to focus on removing damaged containers from the Mississippi. Coast Guard safety officers remain on scene to oversee operations and ensure all movements are carried out safely.

The Captain of the Port has approved 55 commercial vessels as of Wednesday, Sept. 17, to safely pass through a 500-yard safety zone that the Coast Guard had placed around the Mississippi.

"The progress we've achieved reflects the outstanding coordination across agencies and industry partners," said Coast Guard Capt. Stacey Crecy, Coast Guard Incident Coordinator for the Pier G Container Incident Response. "Fifty-five safe commercial vessel transits demonstrate not only the effectiveness of the safety measures in place, but also the seamless coordination between the Coast Guard, port partners and industry to keep commerce moving while recovery operations continue."

The safety zone established by the Coast Guard remains in effect to safeguard navigation and is enforced by Coast Guard small boat crews, Port of Long Beach Harbor Patrol and the Long Beach Police Department.

The U.S. Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board continue to lead the investigation into the cause of the incident.

To submit a non-cargo claim related to the Pier G Container Incident, please call 877-430-6361 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PDT, Monday through Friday or e-mail submission@piergincidentclaims.com. 

Non-cargo claims refer to issues not involving the goods carried in the ship's containers. Cargo-related claims — for those shipping materials or products on the vessel — should be submitted to the appropriate party listed in the appropriate shipping documents, such as a bill of lading or transport contract. For more information on both non-cargo and cargo claims, visit www.piergincidentclaims.com.