Hawaii-based Coast Guard crew helps with recovery efforts in Northern Mariana Islands

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Hawaii-based Coast Guard crew is helping with recovery efforts following Super Typhoon Bavi.

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The U.S. Coast Guard captain of the Port of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands reset port heavy weather conditions to “whiskey” at 9 a.m. Chamorro Standard Time, effective Wednesday, reopening the Port of Saipan to commercial traffic and cargo.

Officials said a Hawaii-based Coast Guard dive team arrived Tuesday and is assisting with repairing a buoy at the Outer Apra Harbor entrance, which was moved off station during the storm.

In the meantime, the Coast Guard, the Port of Guam, the Commonwealth Ports Authority and other commercial partners are working to clear channels and reopen ports.

USCG teams are tracking inbound commercial traffic and working with the harbormaster to prioritize the order in which vital cargo arrives at port once restrictions are lifted and the port is ready to receive vessels.

Along with the dive team, additional supplies from Hawaii arrived aboard an HC-130J Hercules airplane.

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Damage Assessment Team members are evaluating the Coast Guard’s footprint and will begin local recovery. Communication specialists are also working to bring communication towers back online.

The Coast Guard said an assessment team arrived on Tinian Wednesday aboard the Hercules aircraft, and reported the port in good condition with some buoys off station. They are expected to arrive in Rota on Thursday.

USCG Cutter Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) has returned from storm avoidance and will assess waterways and address buoys off station at Rota and Tinian.

Officials said the Marianas operate on a hub-and-spoke model, with most cargo and vessels transiting Guam before reaching the CNMI, a function of commercial logistics and routes rather than anything the U.S. Coast Guard regulates. Reopening Guam and Saipan are vital to reaching Rota and Tinian, not a substitute for it. Rota sustained infrastructure damage during Typhoon Sinlaku.

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Three things the U.S. Coast Guard continues to ask of the public: