SAIPAN — The Commonwealth Ports Authority restored city power at the Port of Saipan and is making steady progress on Saipan airport repairs, but Saipan International Airport has lost the use of all loading bridges and Tinian International Airport is again without power, the agency said in its 20th post-Sinlaku port update issued Tuesday afternoon.
City power has been restored on the port side at the Port of Saipan, energizing the dock lights for the first time since the storm, CPA said. The port is open for commercial traffic and cargo operations without restrictions. The CPA Port of Saipan administrative building remains on generator, however, and the office elevator is still inoperable. CPA asked anyone unable to climb stairs to call 670-664-3550 for assistance.
At Francisco C. Ada Saipan International Airport, daily daylight flights continue on United Airlines, Micronesian Air Cargo Connection Services and Star Marianas Air between Guam, Saipan, Tinian and Rota. The terminal is being powered by Generators 1 and 2, with limited running water.
Operations remain restricted to daytime only because of navigational aid damage. The Federal Aviation Administration has repaired some navaids, but others remain pending. CPA said it is working closely with the FAA on the remaining items.
With assistance from Guam International Airport Authority staff, many signs, runway and taxiway lights and Arrival Carousel A are back in service. The Arrival Terminal has been assessed and power has been restored on that side of the airport. Public parking lot lights and the main frontal terminal lights have also been restored.
Power challenges in the Departure Terminal continue. Manual baggage inspections continue under the Transportation Security Administration with assistance from the Ports Police K-9 unit and Customs and Border Protection.
Jetway 2 is having issues, and as a result all loading bridges are currently inoperable and assessments are continuing, CPA said. Stair-carts are being used in the meantime. Perimeter fence line repairs are at 70 percent complete. Phase 2 of the work is to fabricate chain-link gates for all three terminal gates.
The Bank of Guam ATM at the Saipan airport remains inoperable.
Tinian International Airport remains open for humanitarian flights only and is limited to daytime operations. The airport is once again without power because of issues with the FEMA generator, CPA said.
Rota International Airport is open to receive flights.
At Rota West Harbor, Berth 2 cargo delivery, loading and discharge remain suspended. Cargo operations at Berth 1 may resume under specific conditions, CPA said. Vessel mooring is authorized only during daytime hours and in favorable sea conditions, with vessels restricted to the first 130 feet of the berth starting from the northwestern-most edge. Any cargo crane operations must keep the crane staged at a minimum distance of 20 feet from the wharf face and 15 feet from the northeastern-most edge. Operations are limited to general cargo only because the handling of dangerous cargo is prohibited under 33 CFR Part 126.
CPA said failure to adhere to these directives is a violation of the Order and is punishable by civil penalties of up to $117,608 per day, with willful violations categorized as a Class D felony.
The Port of Tinian moved to Port Heavy Weather Condition Whiskey at noon Monday and is open for commercial traffic and cargo operations without restrictions, CPA said.
Tuesday’s bulletin is the 20th port update CPA has issued since Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
