As salvage and recovery work continue Thursday at the Port of Long Beach to recover dozens of shipping containers that fell off a cargo vessel, an investigation is unfolding into why and how about 75 of the huge cargo containers fell off their vessel the Mississippi.
"This is still a dynamic situation with many unknowns," said Capt. Stacey Crecy, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach in a statement.
There are still about 30 of the shipping containers under water and the shipping channel is not completely clear while clean-up and recovery are ongoing as there is a 500-yard safety zone placed around the Mississippi, according to officials.
Operations to recover the wayward metal containers began Wednesday morning, said a port official, who added no hazardous materials have been identified.
The misshap started around 8:45 a.m. Tuesday at Pier G, berth 232, according to a U.S. Coast Guard public affairs officer. There was one minor injury reported.
"Although this incident was at one berth at the Port, we will continue to act with caution as we recover containers and restore full operations at the Pier G terminal as quickly and safely as possible," said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. Thanks to the quick response by all involved first the workers and companies right at the docks working the ship, then on to all of the agencies who have responded to protect life, safety and commerce.
The Coast Guard was informed of the problem by the port pilot and dispatched vessels and air resources to the location.
Cargo operations were temporarily suspended at the terminal as responders worked to secure the containers.
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Some merchandise could be seen floating, but most of the containers that went into the water did not break open. Several landed on a barge that was positioned alongside the Mississippi.
An investigation led by the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board is underway to determine the cause of the incident.
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