Efforts are well underway at Port Canaveral FL to resume normal operations. As of noon September 12, the US Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) approved restricted commercial vessel transit through Port Canaveral to allow the Port to support the arrival of critical fuel supplies destined for Florida consumers, and to receive cruise ships that were diverted from Port Canaveral prior to the arrival of Hurricane Irma.
Port Canaveral previously had limited operations capability due to lack of water and limited electric power. However, this update to the Port's Condition Zulu confirms the Port's ability to regain full operational capability over the next few days.
"Our ability to supply the critical fuel needs of Florida has been a priority,” said Port CEO John Murray. “We have been working diligently with the Coast Guard, our Port partners, and tenants to ensure their businesses are in good shape to resume business operations.
"Seaport Canaveral is operating at 100% and is moving gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel throughout the state. The steady stream of trucks that were in queue for loading fuels beginning last night, have been loading and moving out to make their deliveries."
"Seaport Canaveral Corp is currently supporting the needs of the State with full involvement from our customers, suppliers, haulers and drivers,” said Clement Saaltink, general manager. “Our main priority remains the safety and wellbeing of everyone including our people and their families, our surroundings and the environment."
"Arriving in Port this afternoon, we have a fuel tanker vessel delivering gasoline to add to Seaport Canaveral's capacity, and two more tankers are on their way here," said Capt Murray. "Wednesday, we will have two homeported cruise ships arriving in port for debark and embark passenger operations, and beginning Friday, they will begin to board passengers for their regularly scheduled cruise itineraries."
Port Canaveral is continuing to assess the damage to its facilities and grounds from Hurricane Irma. Initial status reports have indicated mostly cosmetic damage and significant debris removal.
The port's pre-storm preparations and mitigation efforts prior to Irma's arrival helped to reduce the risk of catastrophic damage to the port's buildings and operations. Returning the port to full operational status was hampered by the loss of power and failure of the City of Cocoa water system which supplies the Port.