LA-Long Beach prepare emergency anchorages if things get worse
WITH as many as 21 ships at anchor awaiting berths outside the Los Angeles-Long Beach harbour earlier this week, the Marine Exchange of Southern California is preparing emergency anchorages to reduce the risk to safety, security and the environment.
The Marine Exchange, a quasi-harbour master, has additional drift boxes offshore that can cater for another 35 vessels should these pre-planned temporary anchorages fill up.
These were used in the 2004 lockout, when as many as 62 ships waited outside the harbour at the peak and more than 50 were in port, noted Lloyd's Loading List.
This time, a combination of larger ships, equipment shortages and labour issues are compounding the situation that began in October and shows little sign of easing.