Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Cleveland personnel assess storm damage at Cleveland marinas

CLEVELAND - The Coast Guard is continuing efforts to help various marinas in the greater Cleveland area recover from damage left by superstorm Sandy.

Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Cleveland personnel have been assessing damage by landside harbor patrols in order to determine the proper response and recovery actions. They'll continue to document all sunken boats and potential pollution cases.

So far, MSU has found two sunken boats at the Edgewater Marina. The port authority plans to start debris pick-up and help with salvage operations once the weather permits.

The MSU also requested a survey be conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers of the Rocky River from Emerald Marina to the mouth of the river due to a submerged vehicle and several submerged boats.

Another 15 heavily damaged boats were found at the Edgewater Marina, with one posing a serious risk of sinking due to a hole in its hull near the waterline. There are also 15 confirmed sunken boats at the marina with another 10-15 boats unaccounted for. MSU personnel are currently working to identify and compile boat owner information.

At the Whiskey Island Marina, there are approximately 30 significantly damaged boats that are being pushed against the south bulkhead of the marina, alongside broken piers and debris. Because of broken piers, many portions of the marina are inaccessible, so the status of some parts of the marina is unknown right now. Of the six confirmed sunken boats, two are power boats and four are sailboats. 

At the Emerald Necklace Marina along Rocky River, boats made off to the pier are firmly in place, however the pier itself is damaged and poses a risk of breaking free. The owner of the marina has been in contact with multiple salvage and contracting companies and hopes to fix the issue as soon as weather conditions allow.

Several other marinas also have confirmed damage to boats and piers. The Coast Guard continues to monitor those situations.

Anyone who owns a boat at any of these marinas, of if you know someone who does, you can contact the Coast Guard at (216) 701-5989.