USCG evaluates Bay Area’s capability to tow ultra-large containership in emergency

The US Coast Guard, together with the San Francisco Bay Harbor Safety Committee, shipping group CMA CGM and other local industry partners, have successfully evaluated the Bay Area’s capability to respond to an emergency involving ultra-large container vessels.

As part of the exercise, the tugboats within the San Francisco Bay were used to connect and tow an ultra-large container ship, the CMA CGM’s Centaurus, and simulate capabilities in case of emergencies either in the Bay or around San Francisco.

San Francisco Bay Area Harbor Safety Committee chair captain Lynn Korwatch said that the local maritime community efforts played a vital role in moving toward improving readiness.

"The Harbor Safety Committee is dedicated to maintaining a safe maritime transportation system," Korwatch added.

Marking the first of its kind drill in the US, the successful collaborative effort uses the knowledge gained during discussion-based exercises and planning over the past year and has been a learning experience for all of the involved units.

As part of the drill, Coast Guard Sector San Francisco offered the required security to assure safe towing within the Bay.

Coast Guard Sector San Francisco commander and the Port of San Francisco captain Gregory Stump said: "Ships calling on California ports continue to get larger, and we are working with our port partners to ensure we are ready to respond to an emergency."

Other participants in the San Francisco Harbor Safety Committee sponsored drill included Harley Marine Services, Foss Maritime and AmNav.

Image: The CMA CGM’s Centaurus vessel being towed by tugboats within the San Francisco Bay as part of the drill. Photo: Courtesy of US Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Adam Stanton.