URGENT UPDATE: A cargo ship mishap has left one worker injured and caused an oil spill at the Port of Long Beach. Around 75 cargo containers unexpectedly fell overboard from the vessel Mississippi while it was offloading around 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning. The U.S. Coast Guard is currently leading the investigation into this alarming incident.
The containers, which held general cargo including clothes, furniture, and electronics, crashed into the water and damaged a smaller barge as they fell. Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson confirmed that one worker aboard the barge sprained an ankle while attempting to flee from the falling containers. Fortunately, the worker did not require hospitalization, but officials are grateful no one suffered more severe injuries.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with the Long Beach Fire Department arriving minutes after the incident was reported. Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan stated that fire units established a perimeter around the site to ensure safety, as several containers were found leaning precariously against a gantry crane.
A light oil sheen has been reported in the area, attributed to the barge owned by Stax Engineering, which was carrying approximately 2,000 gallons of renewable diesel. The source of the leak is still under investigation, with authorities suspecting it may have originated from the barge’s generator or fuel tank. An oil spill response team is actively working to contain the situation.
The U.S. Coast Guard has established a 500-yard safety zone around the Mississippi and is broadcasting hourly safety alerts to nearby vessels. They are collaborating with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to compile a list of the affected cargo. Port of Long Beach Chief Executive Mario Cordero has assured the public that despite the incident, operations at the port continue without interruption.
As investigations proceed, officials have not ruled out human or mechanical error as contributing factors. Capt. Stacey Crecy of the U.S. Coast Guard emphasized that drug and alcohol testing will be part of the inquiry. However, Gary Herrera, president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 13, disputed allegations of human error among workers.
This incident occurs less than a week after the Port of Long Beach was recognized as the Best West Coast seaport in North America for the seventh consecutive year. The port is a crucial hub, handling over 9 million 20-foot containers annually from 2,000 vessels, accounting for a quarter of all containers on the West Coast.
As the situation develops, officials are closely monitoring the ongoing cleanup efforts and the safety of operations at the port. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.