US East Coast ports reopen after Sandy
In the aftermath of super-storm Sandy last week, an extensive damage assessment needed to be carried out in US east coast ports, not least in terms of looking out for pollution sources and sunken vessels.
Following the shut down of many US east coast ports and terminals last week, US Coast Guard pollution responders and damage assessment teams worked tirelessly to get operations moving again.
At the New York and New Jersey Port Authority, one of the areas most hit by the storm – normal operations only resumed today.
This was largely down to the work of the Coast Guard and the National Oceanagraphic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), which last week worked to restore the fuel flow to the area.
According to the US Coast Guard, Sandy’s damage to metropolitan New York included flooded port terminals, which halted fuel deliveries. Then there was the problem of obstructions which also hampered fuel deliveries, including a large tanker that ran aground off Staten Island.
This was a big problem because barges and tank ships carry tens of millions of tonnes of petroleum products through the Port of New York and New Jersey.
NOAA ship Thomas Jefferson conducted a hydrographic survey of the Hudson River to search for sunken containers, debris and shoaling last week.
Using high-tech side scan sonar equipment, the vessel provided critical safety information which subsequently enabled the port to be re-opened to fuel barge traffic.
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