SANTA RITA, Guam — The Coast Guard Captain of the Port for Guam and the Marianas set a modified Port Heavy Weather Condition Whiskey for the Port of Tinian on Monday, reopening the island’s port to daytime cargo operations and commercial traffic following the completion of initial assessments by the crew of the USCGC Oliver Henry.
The Oliver Henry arrived at Rota midday Sunday, delivered supplies, and completed port surveys and aids to navigation inspections alongside Coast Guard facility inspectors from Guam and FEMA representatives. The cutter then transited to Tinian, arriving around 7:00 PM. Crews began work immediately and continued at first light Monday.
The initial Tinian assessment found no obstructions in the channel. An inspection of the shoreside fuel reception arrangement passed. Several navigational buoys shifted or sustained damage, which the Coast Guard described as a normal result of a storm of Sinlaku’s strength.
On Saipan, the USCGC Hickory delivered personnel and equipment to support recovery operations Monday. U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians aboard are conducting underwater surveys of Saipan’s waterways before larger vessel traffic can enter port, particularly given several vessels reported missing and the potential for debris obstructing channels. Coast Guard teams are also assessing vessels pushed ashore in Smiling Cove during the storm and evaluating the Remote Fixed Facility communications tower, which supports radio communications in the area.
A Coast Guard dive team in Guam completed equipment preparations Monday and will embark aboard the Oliver Henry for Tinian. Dive operations to restore aids to navigation are expected to begin Tuesday.
The ports of Saipan and Rota remain closed. Commercial mariners should not transit those ports without direct coordination with the Coast Guard and should monitor all broadcast notices to mariners.
“Getting ports open in CNMI is a top priority,” said Capt. Jessica Worst, commander of Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam and Captain of the Port for Guam and the Marianas. “We know getting supplies into the area by vessel is a critical lifeline, and are working urgently to find a safe path to get them there. Bringing a vessel into a port that has not been fully assessed is how one emergency becomes two. We are moving as fast as the conditions responsibly allow, and we will not stop until all our communities have restored maritime access.”
The public should continue to use caution near the water due to debris on and below the surface.
