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Damage Assessment Teams Survey New York Harbor, East Coast Ports Reopened After Sandy

Published Nov 19, 2012 3:14 PM by The Maritime Executive

Coast Guard pollution responders and damage assessment teams from Coast Guard Sector New York got underway in New York Harbor to survey the waterway, and to look for pollution sources, sunken vessels, and potential actionable discharge of oil or release of hazardous materials. Assessment teams continue to identify environmental and navigation hazards and work to mitigate damage as recovery efforts continue after Hurricane Sandy.

Coast Guard pollution responders assess damage to a pier near Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team New York in Bayonne, N.J.

A large tanker is aground on Staten Island, N.Y., after Hurricane Sandy swept through the N.Y. and N.J. areas 

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Coast Guard Reopens Ports from Philadelphia to NC

Mariners encouraged to exercise caution

The Coast Guard reopened all ports from Philadelphia to North Carolina following Hurricane Sandy.

The Coast Guard captains of the ports for the ports of Delaware Bay, Baltimore, Hampton Roads and North Carolina are working closely with their respective port industry, NOAA, Army Corps of Engineers and state agencies to minimize risk as ports return to normalcy.

Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution when transiting throughout the ports due to the possibility of shoaling and debris. Be aware, navigational aids may be off station and/or displaying improper characteristics and should be considered unreliable. Report all damaged or inoperable navigational aids to the appropriate Coast Guard captain of the port.

The Coast Guard is strongly advising recreational boaters and commercial traffic to carefully consider any voyage. If boaters must be on the rivers, they are urged to exercise extreme caution and transit the area at minimum safe speed and be prepared for extensive delays caused by floating debris and unreliable aids to navigation. Boaters are particularly encouraged to limit transit on the rivers to daylight hours and to be aware some marinas may not be fully operational due to significant power outages - plan your fuel supply accordingly. Even areas where vessel operators might normally find a suitable location to anchor may be unsafe due to accumulated debris, underwater obstacles and heavy currents due to flooding conditions.

Update 3: Status of NY, NJ Port, Waterways

The Port of New York and New Jersey is open with the following guidelines and exceptions:

  • The Port of New York is open to all tug and barge traffic carrying petroleum products.
  • New York waterway ferries and taxi service are fully operational on the Hudson and East Rivers.
  • Gravesend Bay anchorage south of the Verrazano Bridge as well as the anchorage north of the bridge is now open.
  • The Hudson River is open to all vessel traffic north of George Washington Bridge.
  • Tugs and barges are permitted to precede along the Arthur Kill waterway from the south with permission by VTS the Caption of the Port.
  • All inspected passenger vessels are authorized to operate except within the noted exclusive zones.
  • Anchorage Ground 21-C in Bay Ridge Flats is open to approved vessel traffic.
  • Port Jersey Channel is open.

More specific guidelines and exceptions on the status of the port are posted to New York Homeport.

As the port opens, agents are reminded to provide updates to the pilots and facilities to ensure the efficient entry of vessels.