Date: April 5, 2011 Time: 10:20 a.m.
Media Contacts:
Erik Swanson, U.S. Coast Guard, (510) 289-5794
Carol Singleton, California Dept. of Fish and Game, (916) 539-6124
Crescent City Tsunami Response Update #23
Location: Crescent City Inner Basin Harbor, Crescent City, California
Cause: Tsunami following 9.0 earthquake in Japan (March 11)
Further updates will be issued on a periodic basis as operations warrant.
Operational Update:
• Today, crews will raise the F/V Kodiak, which was sunk by the March 11
tsunami. The historic 67-foot wooden fishing vessel performed rescue
operations in Alaska after the massive 1964 earthquake. So far, seven
sunken vessels that posed a pollution threat have been extracted from the
harbor. High winds have affected the operational pace, as the crane
cannot operate in winds of 25 mph or more.
• The crane removed a total of 13 pilings that impeded access to the
remaining sunken vessels in the inner harbor that pose a pollution threat.
A total of 16 pilings will be removed.
• As part of the removal process, the depth and GPS (global positioning
system) location for each removed piling are recorded for use by the
harbor during dredging and rebuilding.
• Cleanup crews have removed approximately 1,545 gallons of petroleum
products from damaged vessels and 1,660 cubic yards of debris from the
inner boat basin. A total of 1,300 feet of containment boom has been
deployed.
• The Unified Command's primary goal is to complete pollution mitigation
operations as quickly and safely as possible so Crescent City can begin
restoring its harbor.
• The current federal project ceiling from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund is
$2.75 million for pollution mitigation at the Crescent City Harbor. The
project budget can be adjusted as needed.
• The Unified Command is working with more than a dozen local
businesses, including commercial divers, restaurants and hotels, and
remains committed to using local resources whenever possible.
• There are 39 personnel participating in the response effort. This includes
USCG, DFG and contractors.
• Commercial fishermen with questions about their permits and fees should
call the Department of Fish and Game’s License and Revenue Branch at
916-928-7470.
Closures or restrictions:
• During crane operations, access will be limited to portions of “A” dock as a
safety precaution.
• Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., C, D, E, and F docks are open to owners of
vessels within the boomed off area. Vessel owners should contact Coast
Guard Auxiliary members at the Harbor Office to schedule vessel access.
For emergencies only, owners wishing to access their vessels outside of
that time frame may contact the Coast Guard. Requests will be considered
on a case-by-case basis. Personal flotation devices are required on all
docks.
• Harbor is closed to the public at night, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., until further
notice.
• Safety zone is in place for the inner boat basin only. The harbor is now
open to vessel traffic.
Harbor operations:
Crescent City Harbor asks affected boat owners to contact the harbor at 707-
464-6174 ext. 22 to provide the following information: Boat name, official
number/VIN, fuel capacity, actual fuel onboard, and contact information.
Wildlife: There have been no reports of oiled wildlife. Monitoring is ongoing.
Crews deployed: U.S. Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Game
(DFG), Harbor District personnel and oil spill response organizations.
Information numbers:
Crescent City Harbormaster’s Office: 707-464-6174 ext. 22
Report oil: 1-800-852-7550
Report injured wildlife: 1-877-823-6926
DFG’s License and Revenue Branch: 916-928-7470
Media Alert:Media interested in viewing operations should coordinate access
with the Joint Information Center at (281) 851-4546. Safety procedures will be
strictly enforced, so media personnel are encouraged to bring U.S. Coast Guard-
certified lifejackets and hard hats, which are required to enter the operational
area. The Crescent City Tsunami Responders have limited safety gear to offer
interested attendees.
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