Port conditions up the coast of Florida
Coast Guard sets Port Condition X-RAY for Miami, Fort Lauderdale
Effective 9 a.m. Tuesday, Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP), Capt. Chris Scraba, increased port conditions for the Port of Miami and Port Everglades to X-RAY, due to the expectation that gale force winds generated by Hurricane Irene may arrive within 48 hours.
Waterfront facilities should be removing potential flying debris, hazardous materials and oil pollution hazards from dockside areas. Secure all hazmat and potential sources of pollution due to heavy rain run-off.
Vessels more than 500 gross tons should make preparations to leave the port at this time or have received permission from the COTP to remain in port. Vessels unable to depart the port must contact the COTP and submit a safe mooring plan in writing when requesting and prior to receiving permission to remain in port. Proof of facility owner/operator approval will be required.
Inbound vessels that will be unable to depart the port if Port Condition YANKEE is set, are advised to seek an alternate destination. Container terminal operators shall reduce general cargo container stack heights to no more than four high and hazardous material cargo container stacks to no more than two high, or propose alternate securing arrangements to the COTP. The COTP may require additional precautions to ensure the safety of the ports and waterways.
Pleasure craft are advised to seek safe harbor. Drawbridges may not be operating as early as eight hours prior to the anticipated arrival of sustained gail force winds (39 mph) or when an evacuation is in progress.
For information on Hurricane Irene’s progress and hurricane preparedness, please visit the National Hurricane Center’s web page at the following link – http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.
Mariners strongly urged to prepare now for Hurricane Irene; Coast Guard sets port condition Whiskey in Port Canaveral, Fla.
Effective 10 a.m., Tuesday, Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP), Capt. Andy Blomme, increased port conditions for the Port of Canaveral to WHISKEY, due to the expectation that gale force winds generated by Hurricane Irene may arrive within 72 hours.
The Port of Canaveral is currently open to all commercial traffic and all transfer operations may continue while WHISKEY remains in effect. Threatening winds between 39 and 54 mph from a hurricane-force storm are possible within 72 hours.
Mariners are reminded that there are no safe havens in the Port of Canaveral and that the port is the safest when the inventory of vessels is at a minimum. All oceangoing commercial vessels and oceangoing barges greater than 500 gross tons should make plans for departing the port. Vessels desiring to remain in port must immediately contact the Captain of the Port at 904-564-7513 to receive permission to do so, and are required to submit a safe mooring plan in writing. Vessels bound for Port Canaveral unable to depart 24 hours prior to threatening winds making landfall are advised to seek an alternate destination.
Pleasure craft are advised to seek safe harbor. Drawbridges may not be operating if sustained winds reach 25 mph or when an evacuation is in progress.
Port facilities are advised to review their heavy weather plans and take all necessary precautions to adequately prepare for the expected conditions.
Mariners can anticipate the Coast Guard setting port readiness condition X-RAY when gale force winds from Hurricane Irene are within 48 hours of landfall.
If and when port readiness condition YANKEE is set, meaning hurricane force winds are expected within 24 hours, vessel movement shall be restricted and all movements must be approved by the Captain of the Port.
The Coast Guard is warning the public of these important safety messages:
- Stay off the water. The Coast Guard’s search and rescue capabilities degrade as storm conditions strengthen. This means help could be delayed. That is why boaters should heed to weather watches, warnings and small craft advisories.
- Evacuate as necessary. If mandatory evacuations are set for an area, the public should evacuate without delay. Coast Guard personnel and other emergency responders may not be able to evacuate those in danger during the storm.
- Secure belongings. Owners of large boats are urged to move their vessels to inland marinas where they will be less vulnerable to breaking free of their moorings or damage. Trailerable boats should be pulled from the water and stored in a place that is not prone to flooding. Those who are leaving their boats in the water are reminded to secure life rings, lifejackets and smallboats. These items, if not secured properly, can break free and require valuable search and rescue resources to be diverted to ensure they are not actually people in distress.
- Stay clear of beaches. Wave heights and currents typically increase before a storm makes landfall. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents caused by hurricanes. Swimmers should stay clear of beaches until local lifeguards and law enforcement officials say the water is safe.
- Be prepared. Area residents should be prepared by developing a family plan, creating a disaster supply kit, having a place to go, securing their home and having a plan for pets. Information can be found at the National Hurricane Center’s webpage.
- Stay informed. The public should monitor the progress and strength of Hurricane Irene through local television, radio and Internet. Boaters can monitor its progress on VHF radio channel 16. Information can also be obtained on small craft advisories and warnings on VHF radio channel 16.
Mariners strongly urged to prepare now for Hurricane Irene; Coast Guard sets port condition Whiskey in Ports of Jacksonville, Fla., and Fernadina, Fla.
Effective 4 p.m., Tuesday, Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP), Capt. Andy Blomme, increased port conditions for the Ports of Jacksonville and Fernadina, Fla., to WHISKEY, due to the expectation that gale force winds generated by Hurricane Irene may arrive within 72 hours.
The Ports of Jacksonville and Fernadina are currently open to all commercial traffic and all transfer operations may continue while WHISKEY remains in effect. Threatening winds between 39 and 54 mph from a hurricane-force storm are possible within 72 hours.
Mariners are reminded that there are no safe havens in the Ports of Jacksonville and Fernadina and that the port is the safest when the inventory of vessels is at a minimum. All oceangoing commercial vessels and oceangoing barges greater than 500 gross tons should make plans for departing the ports. Vessels desiring to remain in port must immediately contact the Captain of the Port at 904-564-7513 to receive permission to do so, and are required to submit a safe mooring plan in writing. Vessels bound for Jacksonville and Fernadina unable to depart 24 hours prior to threatening winds making landfall are advised to seek an alternate destination.
Pleasure craft are advised to seek safe harbor. Drawbridges may not be operating if sustained winds reach 25 mph or when an evacuation is in progress.
Port facilities are advised to review their heavy weather plans and take all necessary precautions to adequately prepare for the expected conditions.
Mariners can anticipate the Coast Guard setting port readiness condition X-RAY when gale force winds from Hurricane Irene are within 48 hours of landfall.
If and when port readiness condition YANKEE is set, meaning hurricane force winds are expected within 24 hours, vessel movement shall be restricted and all movements must be approved by the Captain of the Port.
Source: U.S. Coast Guard