Navy 7th Fleet Offers Salvage Support to Tsunami-Battered Japanese City

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Devon Dow | Lt. Cmdr. Derek Peterson, 7th Fleet Salvage officer from Cocoa, Fla., presents a briefing to a Hachinohe Port Authority official that details the capabilities the U.S. Navy salvage teams could provide if needed. A 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered a massive tsunami on Japan's eastern coast, causing severe damage to many of the country's coastal towns including Hachinohe. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Devon Dow)  

HACHINOHE, AOMORI, JAPAN

03.18.2011

Courtesy Story

Naval Air Facility Misawa

HACHINOHE, Japan - Lt. Cmdr. Derek Peterson, U.S. 7th Fleet salvage officer, visited Hachinohe, Japan, March 18, and met with city officials to discuss the salvage capabilities the U.S. Navy can provide in support of Operation Tomodachi.

Following a 9.0-magnitude earthquake, the port of Hachinohe suffered severe damage from the subsequent massive tsunami.

Peterson, a subject-matter-expert in salvage harbor clearance, and coordinator of the rescue and salvage ship USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50), spent the day meeting with the Japan coast guard and the city’s Port Authority. According to Peterson, the ship and its crew stand ready to assist in clearing out debris from the northern-Japanese harbor.

“We want to make our presence known to the Japanese and let them know that we are here to help,” Peterson said. “We want to bring assets, capabilities, and work side-by-side with the Japanese on whatever they need.”

Along with discussing Safeguard’s capabilities, Peterson, members of the Japan coast guard, and city Port Authority officials looked over surveys and charts that displayed current conditions of the port. He also attended a meeting with city officials to gain a full understanding of city-wide recovery efforts.

“If given the opportunity, we are hoping to combine our resources and do whatever is needed to be done to help get the city back on its feet,” Peterson said to the group.

Peterson said assisting the clean up and reopening of the port would benefit Japan by giving the country a key hub for delivery of humanitarian development assistance in this battered region.

“With this port reopened, humanitarian assistance possibilities from this port are limitless,” he said.

After concluding the day’s events, Peterson said he looks forward to the future possibility of working with the Japanese in their time of need.

“They are already doing an outstanding job with the equipment they have,” he said. “If we have the opportunity to integrate into their system and provide support with our assets, it will only enhance relief productivity in the area and help get the job done.”

For more news from Naval Air Facility Misawa, visit
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/misawa/index.htm or check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nafmisawa.

• Date Taken: 03.18.2011
• Date Posted: 03.18.2011 09:32
• Story ID: 67286
• Location: HACHINOHE, AOMORI, JP