Vessels transiting within the Hawaiian Island harbors should seek sheltered waters
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Captain of the Port has set Heavy Weather Condition 2 for commercial ports on the Island of Hawaii at 4 p.m., and throughout Maui County at 9 p.m. All other ports remain in condition 3.
All pleasure craft were instructed to seek sheltered waters.
Vessels transiting within the vicinity of the Hawaiian Island harbors should seek sheltered waters until storm conditions subside and anticipate harbor closures at the discretion of the COTP as storm conditions progress.
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Condition V: Seasonally readiness, 1 June – 30 November Condition IV: The ALERT condition in which winds above 34 knots (39 mph) are expected within 72 hours. Condition III: The READINESS condition in which winds above 34 knots (39 mph) are expected within 48 hours. Condition II: The WARNING condition in which winds above 34 knots (39 mph) are expected within 24 hours. Condition I: The DANGER condition in which winds above 34 knots (39 mph) are expected within 12 hours and until the storm has passed and is no longer a threat. |
Heavy Weather conditions for each port will be updated as information becomes available regarding potential wind conditions for the islands.
All ocean going commercial vessels and ocean going barges greater than 200 gross tons are expected to make preparations to leave the ports by the following times:
- Hawaii (Big Island) Hilo – 4 a.m., Aug. 7, 2014
- Hawaii (Big Island) Kawaihae – 7 a.m., Aug. 7, 2014
- Maui County Kahului – 9 a.m., Aug. 7, 2014
- Maui County Kaunakakai and Kaumalapau – 12 p.m., Aug. 7, 2014
Vessels that desire to remain in port must submit a safe mooring plan in writing to the COTP and receive permission to remain in port.
Once the storm has passed, and the threat of severe weather has subsided, the Coast Guard, Army Corp of Engineers and State of Hawaii will jointly conduct surveys of channel blockage and prioritize steps to resume essential, then normal, vessel traffic. These steps are to minimize risk of damage to vessels and assess the conditions of channels, aids to navigation, waterfront facilities, piers and other infrastructure.
The COTP, in conjunction with the state DOT-Harbors in Hawaii, will begin sending Port Assessment Teams to accessible areas of the zone.
Port Assessment Teams will document all activities using logs, photographs and any other appropriate means.
The Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners and fax out a Marine Safety Information Bulletin to notify the reopening of the port and any special conditions.
Source: USCG
