U.S. Coast Guard reopens Port of Guam, works to clear channel hazards as Northern Marianas port assessments continue

SANTA RITA, Guam — The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands reset Port Heavy Weather Condition (PHWC) WHISKEY for the Port of Guam, effective 2 p.m. ChST on Thursday, July 9, reopening the port to 24/7 commercial traffic and cargo operations without waterway restrictions. All operators must coordinate operations with the Port of Guam and the harbormaster. A U.S. Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew working with U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Five removed Buoy 2 at the Outer Apra Harbor entrance, which moved off station during the storm into the channel, where vessels expect safe water. “Our thanks to our partners at EOD for assisting with freeing Buoy 2 and working alongside our Station Apra Harbor crew to relocate it,” said Capt. Jessica Worst, commander, U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam and Captain of the Port Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. “Their efforts not only allowed us to reopen the waterway and get commerce flowing but also freed up our U.S. Coast Guard divers to head north and begin to address discrepancies in Tinian and Rota.” The U.S. Coast Guard continues to work with the Port of Guam, the Commonwealth Ports Authority, and commercial partners to reopen ports and address all discrepancies caused by the storm.