The Unified Command announced the completion of salvage operations at Pier G in the Port of Long Beach after successfully recovering all 95 containers that fell from the vessel Mississippi.

The final container was lifted from the water at approximately 3:28 p.m. on September 26, officially ending the cleanup operation.

The incident occurred on September 9, shortly after the Portugal-registered Mississippi arrived from Yantian, China. Eyewitness footage showed the ship listing as two rows of containers collapsed, sending dozens overboard.

Initial estimates suggested about 75 containers had fallen, but the number later rose to 95 as some were crushed, submerged, or hidden from view in the nearby boat basin.

Video Credits: Maritime Education/YouTube

Officials explained that the salvage teams relied on side-scan sonar and remotely operated vehicles to detect submerged containers.

Dive teams inspected the bottom of the vessel and assisted in recovery efforts around the hull. Tugboats, pilot vessels, and line handlers repositioned the Mississippi to allow access to containers trapped beneath it.

Throughout the response, a 500-yard safety zone was maintained around the vessel, later reduced to 100 yards as operations advanced. Mariners were kept informed through hourly Safety Marine Information Broadcasts.

In total, 142 vessel transits were authorised during the salvage phase, ensuring port operations continued in one of the nation’s busiest terminals.

By the end of September 26, all vessel traffic restrictions were lifted, and Pier G terminal operations were fully restored. The Pollution Response, Salvage, and Marine Transportation System Recovery groups were also demobilised after completing their roles in the operation.

According to Coast Guard officials, every decision during the Pier G Container Incident was guided by safety, from divers recovering containers in the basin to crews working day and night around the hull.

They emphasised the importance of close coordination with the Port of Long Beach and national experts to complete the complex salvage operation within weeks.

Port of Long Beach incident commander Michael Goldschmidt described the incident as an extremely rare event that required a unique salvage response.

He credited the Coast Guard, vessel managers, salvage teams, and highly skilled ILWU workers for expediting the process and ensuring a safe return to normal port operations.

AIS tracking data showed that the Mississippi departed Long Beach on Sunday following the recovery, bound for Vietnam.
The U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board continue to investigate the cause of the September 9 incident.

Reference: Port of Long Beach

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