Preparations are continuing Thursday to return a container ship back to the pier of the Port of Los Angeles after it was damaged in a fire that burned for more than three days, the U.S. Coast Guard reported.
Authorities said this marks a critical step toward the next phase of response operations, where cargo and waste will be offloaded by longshore labor and salvage crews after the vessel ONE Henry Hudson returns to Yusen Terminal at the Port of Los Angeles now that the fire has been fully contained.
Crews have investigated the vessel’s stability for its transit back to port.
Longshore labor crews secured the ship’s cargo while it was anchored, with a safety zone expected to remain in place as it is returned to port. Active firefighting ended as of 9 a.m. Tuesday, according to U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Stacey Crecy. The blaze broke out around 6:30 p.m. Friday.
The presence of hazardous materials in some of the containers presented an added danger for firefighters and the public. The ship was towed out to anchorage outside of the breakwater, where firefighters continued battling the blaze.
As it is returned to the Port, firefighting crews will accompany the vessel and stay on standby once it is docked. No firefighting water was released from the One Henry Hudson, and air quality continues to be monitored, the Coast Guard reported.
Air quality levels have remained below state and federal action thresholds, and no impacts have been detected outside the safety zone. All hazardous materials, including firefighting water, remain contained aboard the
vessel and will be removed and transported for treatment once the ship is at berth, officials said.
The Coast Guard reported Tuesday that air quality levels were within normal ranges in the Wilmington, San Pedro and coastal areas. The Port reopened for business Saturday after community shelter-in-place orders and work restrictions were lifted, and all lanes of the nearby Seaside (47) Freeway between Gaffney Street and Ocean Boulevard in San Pedro reopened.
According to the Unified Command, consisting of the U.S. Coast Guard, Port of Los Angeles Port Police Department and a representative for the vessel, salvage experts have been flown in to support the operation.
Vessel stability will continue to be evaluated as cargo removal and repair preparations begin once the ship is safely back at the pier.
Source: NBC Los Angeles