Coast Guard crews work to restore navigation aids in Savannah

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The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(SAVANNAH, Ga.) — The Coast Guard captain of the port (COTP) for the Port of Savannah reopened the port Thursday to two-way traffic during daylight hours.

Crews from the Coast Guard cutter Anvil, cutter Cypress, Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) Tybee Island and ANT Fort Lauderdale continue to identify, remove, replace or repair the navigational infrastructure within the COTP's area of responsibility.

"Our Coast Guard crews have been working diligently to restore operations in the Port of Savannah, and it was because of their dedication that we were able to open the port to two-way traffic," said Coast Guard Cmdr. Amy Beach, Marine Safety Unit Savannah commander. "The Port of Savannah was hit the hardest by Hurricane Matthew, and we had a lot of challenges and obstacles to overcome. There is still a lot of work to be done, but reopening the port to two-way traffic was critical."

Mariners are advised to use caution while transiting the Savannah River as debris and underwater hazards still pose a threat to the safe navigation of vessels. Mariners are encouraged to report any such hazards to the Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit at (912) 652-4353, Ext. 235, the command duty officer at (912) 247-0073 or on VHF marine radio Channel 16.

The Coast Guard cutter Anvil is a 75-foot inland construction tender, home-ported in Charleston, S.C. The Coast Guard cutter Cypress is a 225-foot seagoing buoy tender home-ported in Pensacola, Fla.

By Professional Mariner Staff