The Port Authority of Guam is assessing and recovering from damage to its three gantry cranes sustained as a result of Friday night's high winds with work continuing Sunday.
The Port in a release confirmed that at 9:30 p.m. Friday, high winds caused Gantry Crane 6 to become dislodged and traveled 1,000 feet along the crane rail system before colliding with Gantry Cranes 5 and 4.
"The contact caused the cranes to move several hundred feet farther along the dock. No injuries were reported," The Port said. "The Port can confirm that wind gauges on its gantry cranes recorded winds of 100 mph at the time of the incident Friday evening. Guam was not under a tropical storm watch or warning at the time, and forecasts had called for wind gusts of up to 50 mph."
On Saturday, the Port's gantry crane mechanics were not able to assess the elevated areas of the cranes due to safety hazards from "persistent heavy winds."
General Manager Rory J. Respicio directed mechanics, welders and other personnel working in the affected area to secure the worksite and pause recovery activity for the remainder of the day," the release said
The Port said, work resumes Sunday morning, weather permitting.
Respicio informed Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Port's Board of Directors and other officials on Saturday about the incident and the recovery effort.
According to the Port, Smithbridge will use two cranes to lift Gantry Crane 6 and place it back on the rail system.
"Crews will also work to return Gantry Crane 5 to the rail system and reposition both cranes to clear the vessel operating area," the Port said. "While Smithbridge works on Gantry Cranes 5 and 6, Port gantry crane mechanics will continue assessing Gantry Crane 4 to determine whether it can safely be returned to service. Gantry Crane 4 remains the Port’s most immediate opportunity to restore crane capacity for upcoming vessel operations."
A lead crane specialist from Matson will arrive from Hawaii Sunday to provide additional technical support. Through the gantry cranes' Preventative Maintenance Contract with Matson, the Port is obtaining technical assistance and parts necessary to safely return the cranes to service.
“Our teams and technical partners are working with urgency to safely restore our crane capacity and get the Port back on its feet,” Respicio said.
He said the operation is an important step.
"We will continue moving forward methodically, with the safety of our employees and the continuity of cargo operations as our priorities.”