Coast Guard continues vessel assessments as Saipan, Guam ports reopen
The U.S. Coast Guard has deployed teams to Saipan, to augment the team there and further assess 28 identified vessels affected by the storm. Five require additional follow-up; “responsible parties” initiated fuel removal operations on several vessels; one vessel that broke in half is being salvaged by a contracted firm, according to an April 27 release.
US Coast Guard fast response boat on patrol. Photo by Douglas.
The port of Guam is fully open. Saipan is open for commercial vessel traffic, with portable lighting being tested to support some nighttime operations. Tinian and Rota have vessel traffic restricted to daylight hours while pier repairs and aids to navigation restoration continue, the Coast Guard said. mbj
Matson Inc. and Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc. held a christening ceremony for the Aloha Class Vessel Makua, set to serve Guam in the first quarter of 2027, at the Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Philadelphia on Oct. 12.
Essential infrastructure, commercial fuel stations, and private health facilities across Guam are swiftly reopening following the passage of Super Typhoon Champi, with key transportation hubs and utility providers moving into full recovery status.
Just hours after Super Typhoon Champi passed south of Guam, President Donald Trump approved Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero's request for an emergency declaration, which authorizes the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate emergency assistance.
Typhoon Champi is now expected to be a Category 4 storm, with winds of 130 to 156 mph and gusts of more than 180 mph, when it makes its closest approach to Guam.
