U.S. Coast Guard Post-Typhoon Mawar Update
U.S. Coast Guard Post-Typhoon Mawar Update
Update from the US Coast Guard on aftermath of Typhoon Mawar that hit Guam.
United States Coast Guard statement, SANTA RITA, Guam: “Following the devastating impact of Typhoon Mawar, U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam, MAT/WAT Guam, and USCGC Sequoia (WLB 215) crews are actively assessing the situation and coordinating maritime response efforts, on May 25, 2023.
This update is an initial damage assessment update on the status of the affected U.S. Coast Guard and personnel, port areas, and our ongoing operations. Watches are being set, and reconstitution is in progress.
As of the morning of May 25, responders are aware of three barges, two mobile crane barges, and a derelict vessel that broke free from commercial piers and are now aground in Piti Channel. While there may be some damage to the Mobile Pier facility, responders can confirm the valves are shut, eliminating any immediate fire hazards.
Furthermore, the dry dock at Cabras appears to be either sunk or partially submerged near Pier F3. Additionally, two tug crews abandoned the ship during the storm as they took on water, and other nearby tug crews rescued them.
There is concern about the state of the piers in Sumay Cove Marina, on Naval Base Guam, as the small boat harbor suffered some damage, potentially posing challenges for launching the U.S. Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat-Mediums and 29-foot Response Boat-Smalls used for Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. Crews are actively testing this capability, but the boats themselves weathered the storm well.
Rescue 21 Search and Rescue towers on Guam are temporarily out of service. It is currently unclear whether the damage is permanent or if it is due to power issues. However, crews are working to assess the next steps to restore their functionality. Presently, the only available SAR radio coverage is in Saipan, operating on generators. Fortunately, there have been minimal distress calls from the Guam area of responsibility.
An HC-130 Hercules airplane and crews from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point left Hawaii with additional resources to conduct port assessments on May 24, overnighted in Kwajalein, and are conducting an overflight of Guam and CNMI. The crew will recover to Saipan. Additional repair and disaster assistance response teams are expected from Hawaii aboard another U.S. Coast Guard aircraft within days.
Additionally, the Port in Guam is closed to traffic and will remain in Port Heavy Weather Condition Zulu until crews complete further assessments. The Captain of the Port anticipates reopening the ports in Saipan and Tinian within 24 hours, pending the confirmation of aids to navigation (ATON) and a more favorable sea state.
Currently, Guam is facing limitations with the ATON constellation and anticipates gaining more insight into its condition shortly. ATON verification in Guam and range board repairs are in progress.
The electronic or eATON in Guam includes Apra Harbor, Agana, the lighted entrance buoy at Agat, and Ritidian and Orote point lights. eATON was successful on the Gulf Coast after hurricanes Irma and Harvey allowed a more rapid opening of ports.
eATON utilizes various electronic devices and systems, such as Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Virtual Aids to Navigation (VATON), to transmit information to mariners. AIS allows vessels to exchange real-time information, including the positions and characteristics of navigation aids. VATON, on the other hand, uses virtual beacons in areas where physical structures are impractical, uneconomical, or temporarily missing.
The crews of the three 154-foot Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters homeported in Guam are safely moored in Yap, awaiting the all-clear and improved sea state between Yap and Guam. The U.S. Coast Guard continues to prioritize accountability and is cautiously sending personnel into the field to confirm personnel status for those unable to respond to electronic alerts.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office advised that although typhoon conditions from Typhoon Mawar passed, the storm's outer winds and rain bands will persist over the island for the next few hours. Tropical storm force winds of 35 mph to 40 mph, with gusts of 45 mph up to 50 mph, are anticipated as Mawar makes its way out of the Marianas. Guam remains in Condition of Readiness (COR) 1.
Remain in shelter within sturdy concrete homes with concrete roofs until COR 4 is announced. In addition to the tropical storm-force winds, hazardous surf and seas remain. Remain out of the water due to life-threatening conditions. Although Typhoon Mawar is moving northwest of Guam and the Marianas, it has re-strengthened, and Mawar's current track puts the risk of the highest surf along the west and north-facing reefs. Dangerous surf persists along western and northern coastlines due to a large swell generated by Mawar.
U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam crews remain committed to responding to the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar aligned and in concert with our territorial and federal colleagues and ensuring the safety and well-being of affected communities in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
SANTA RITA, Guam — U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam and associated unit crews continue efforts to manage their recovery and reconstitution operations in response to Typhoon Mawar.
The U.S. Coast Guard, under the regional Captain of the Port, established the incident management team on May 26, 2023, to oversee these efforts in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. As part of the Service's regular responsibilities, the U.S. Coast Guard is actively working toward reopening the ports and coordinating maritime response activities.
A U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules crew from Air Station Barber's Point, Hawaii, will deliver recovery supplies and 18 additional personnel on the evening of May 26 through coordination with partners at Andersen Air Force Base. Their arrival will significantly aid port recovery and pollution response assessments.
The aircraft will transport a Federal On-Scene Coordinator Representative, a dive team, and boat crews from the Maritime Safety and Security Team Honolulu to supplement Station Apra Harbor. After landing in Saipan, the aircrew will stage there. We anticipate the arrival of a second Hercules airplane on May 27, which will bring additional personnel to support operations.
Station Apra Harbor successfully deployed its 45-foot and 29-foot response boats into the water at Sumay Cove. Crews aboard the 29-foot boat have been assessing and repairing the aids to navigation (ATON) constellation in Apra Harbor. The entrance to Apra Harbor is temporarily narrowed due to Buoy No. 2 being off-station by approximately 500 feet, marking the middle of the channel. Crews are actively working on a plan to relocate or mitigate the buoy's position.
Visual checks of ATON in all harbors have been completed, with GPS position checks currently underway. Fortunately, the range boards in Saipan and Tinian remain unaffected. USCGC Sequoia (WLB 215) crews repaired the Guam range boards, including Polaris Point and Outer Apra Harbor. All range boards are now repaired, and all Outer Apra Harbor buoys are in good condition.
U.S. Coast Guard teams continue to work with port partners to conduct pollution and damage assessments related to the commercial port piers, three barges, two mobile crane barges, and a derelict vessel previously reported to have broken free during the storm and grounded in Piti Channel.
Although the Piti Channel ATON buoys are missing, they do not significantly limit operations. The dry dock at Cabras remains partially submerged near Pier F3, but the Cabras Island Channel in the commercial port appears clear of significant debris. Assessments of the affected barges and vessels are in progress, and crews do not anticipate them hindering the port's reopening.
To ensure the safety of the waterways, divers will use side-scan sonar equipment to survey the channels and piers, ensuring that no items in the water pose a threat before reopening. Crews are actively coordinating with vessels awaiting arrival in Guam to make deliveries and manage potential arrivals once the port is open. It is important to note that the ports in Saipan and Tinian are open as of 4 p.m.
Personnel at District 14 in Honolulu maintained the watch through the storm, and U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam's Joint Rescue Sub-Center is now resuming that watch. The Mt. Alutom Rescue 21 tower is operating on generator power while crews work on repairs for the Merizo tower. However, cellular service remains limited, and anyone working on the water is strongly encouraged to use VHF FM radios.
Regrettably, the U.S. Coast Guard received reports from Guam Fire regarding two incidents involving missing swimmers. In one case, a swimmer who attempted to swim off Alupang Island before the storm remains unaccounted for despite search efforts by Guam Fire Department (GFD) responders.
GFD also reported missing swimmers near Agat Marina; one remains missing, with five individuals either successfully rescued or returning to shore. Guam Fire will have the most up-to-date information on these ongoing cases.
Responders strongly urge the public to avoid entering the water due to hazardous conditions. Despite its attractiveness due to the heat and lack of power or air conditioning, the water conditions remain dangerous with rip currents and high surf. Bacteria levels in many areas may be extremely high, and debris in the water poses additional risks.
At this stage, our response capabilities are limited, and allowing first responders to focus on fully reestablishing services by minimizing unnecessary search and rescue operations would be greatly appreciated.
We will continue to provide updates as the situation develops, and crews appreciate the cooperation and understanding of the community during this challenging recovery process.”