An air monitoring specialist contracted by Gallager Marine Systems conducts air high quality testing as a part of the persevering with Newark RO/RO hearth response. [U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikaela McGee]
The response to the Port Newark RO/RO hearth that broke out aboard the Grimaldi Group’s Grande Costa d’Avorio on the night of July 5 continued over the weekend. Capt. Zeita Merchant, the captain of the port of New York and New Jersey and federal on-scene coordinator, had some encouraging information by Saturday.
“Thanks to the dedication of the responders on scene, we have made considerable progress overnight,” she stated. “There is still significant work to do, and challenges ahead as we get closer to an end state, but the ability for agencies at all levels to work together in our response is a testament to our shared commitment and singular vision to ensuring the responders, the community, and the port remains safe.”
As of Saturday afternoon, the hearth had been contained on the eleventh deck and was being suppressed and now not spreading to different areas of the vessel.
Responders have been additionally persevering with dewatering operations on the decrease decks.
Due to profitable dewatering, the vessel has been additional stabilized, the unified command stated, including,”the vessel will proceed to record between one and two levels to starboard as a solution to speed up the dewatering course of.
Air monitoring specialists, contracted by Gallagher Marine Systems, which has been contracted by the vessel proprietor, Grimaldi, proceed to carry out air monitoring across the vessel and within the surrounding areas. Additional air monitoring gadgets are being deployed to increase the footprint of the monitored space. No detections above hazardous ranges within the surrounding areas have been noticed for the reason that monitoring started on July sixth at 9pm.
“Public and responder safety remain a top priority for the Unified Command and even thought the progress made on fire suppression on the vessel is a significant victory, we will continue to deploy air and water monitoring resources,” stated Kevin S. Perry, vp of emergency response at Gallagher Marine Systems.
There is not any seen air pollution or sheen within the water, however it’s discolored from soot. Water samples have been collected on Friday and take a look at outcomes from these samples have been anticipated to be returned inside 48 hours.
The City of Newark and the Newark Fire Department proceed to work intently with the unified command.
“We are pleased to report that each of the Newark fire captains who were injured while fighting the fire at Port Newark have been released from the hospital,” stated Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé. “The Newark fire captain who suffered burns from water accumulated on the cargo ship’s floor is reportedly in stable condition and will complete his recovery at home,” he added.
As of Sunday, the eleventh deck was being monitored and overhauled to deal with any remaining warmth sources, with responders dewatering areas as essential to make sure continued stability.
With thunderstorms and important wind gusts anticipated within the area all through the weekend, the unified command put measures in place to mitigate any potential impacts.
The command continues to observe climate situations and modify operations as essential to make sure the security of the responders and response efforts.
