Los Angeles air and sea traffic were affected Friday by the major earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan overnight, with the Port of Los Angeles and other entities taking precautionary measures.

With National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimating that waves from the tsunami would reach the West Coast by 8:30 a.m. the Port of Los Angeles temporarily suspended the transfer of hazardous materials and bunkering fuel operations as of 8 a.m. Normal cargo operations were not interrupted, it said.

Los Angeles Port Police worked with marina operators, residents and boat owners to secure vessels moored in area marinas. Cabrillo Beach and Royal Palms Beach have been closed to the public as a precaution, and fishermen and others were banned from the port’s breakwater area.

No big waves occurred and operations at ports were back to normal by the afternoon.

Operations at Los Angeles International Airport were harder hit. At least eight flights originating from Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports were canceled right after the quake, according the Los Angeles World Airport web site, and U.S. airlines have been canceling or delaying flights in and out of Japan throughout the day.

The 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Japan at 2:46 p.m. Friday local Japan time, or 9:46 p.m. Thursday Pacific time. The quake was the largest ever in Japan by magnitude and the fifth-strongest on record, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

“On behalf of all Angelenos, I want to extend our thoughts and prayers to the people of Japan, as well as to the family and friends of victims affected by this horrible tragedy,” Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, said in a statement. “The city of Los Angeles stands ready and willing to help in any way it can to ease the suffering and aide in the recovery of this devastating earthquake.”