According to a recent publication by the Port of Long Beach, salvage operations at Pier G have successfully wrapped up after all 95 containers that fell from the vessel Mississippi were recovered.
The final container was retrieved from the water around 3:28 p.m. on September 26, marking the official end of this extensive cleanup effort.
This incident took place on September 9 when the Mississippi, registered in Portugal and arriving from Yantian, China, experienced a significant mishap. Eyewitness accounts captured footage showing the ship tilting as two rows of containers collapsed into the sea.
Initially thought to involve about 75 fallen containers, further assessments revealed that a total of 95 had been lost—some were crushed or submerged and not immediately visible in nearby waters.
To locate these submerged containers effectively, salvage teams utilized advanced side-scan sonar technology along with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Divers also played a crucial role by inspecting areas around the hull and assisting with recovery efforts. Tugboats and pilot vessels worked diligently to reposition the Mississippi for better access to trapped cargo.
A safety perimeter extending 500 yards was established around the vessel during operations but was later reduced to 100 yards as progress continued. Mariners received regular updates through hourly Safety Marine Information Broadcasts throughout this period.
A total of 142 vessel transits were permitted during this operation phase, ensuring that port activities remained uninterrupted at one of America’s busiest terminals.
Image Credits: Port of Long /Facebook
By September 26’s end, all restrictions on vessel traffic had been lifted and normal operations resumed at Pier G terminal. The Pollution Response team along with Salvage and Marine Transportation System Recovery groups concluded their roles in this complex operation shortly thereafter.
The Coast Guard officials highlighted that every action taken during this incident prioritized safety—from divers retrieving cargo underwater to crews working tirelessly around-the-clock near the hull area. They underscored how vital it was to collaborate closely with both local authorities and national experts for an efficient resolution within weeks.
Image Credits: Port of Long /Facebook
Micheal Goldschmidt, incident commander for Port operations described this occurrence as an unusual event necessitating specialized salvage strategies. He praised contributions from Coast Guard personnel, vessel managers, salvage teams alongside skilled ILWU workers who collectively expedited recovery efforts while ensuring safe conditions throughout.
AIS tracking data indicates that following recovery efforts; Mississippi departed Long Beach bound for Vietnam on Sunday. Meanwhile, investigations into what caused this incident are ongoing by both U.S Coast Guard officials and National Transportation Safety Board representatives.
