Posts Tagged ‘port condition Zulu’
U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Marine Safety Information
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Sector San Juan Marine Safety and Security Duty Officers are notifying all facilities and vessels in the San Juan Captain of the Port zone Thursday that all ports in Puerto Rico including Culebra and Vieques are open for normal operations, following the passing of Hurricane Omar. In addition, all ports in Saint Thomas and Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands are open for normal operations, following the passing of Hurricane Omar.
Coast Guard Issues Hurricane Omar Marine Safety Information
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Sector San Juan Marine Safety and Security Duty Officers are notifying all facilities and vessels in the area of responsibility that the Captain of the Port has set and anticipates setting the following Port Conditions for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, due to the arrival of Hurricane Omar.
Houston-Galveston Port Under Condition Yankee Changes to Zulu Tonight
HOUSTON -In preparation for potential severe weather associated with Hurricane IKE, Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston will set Port Condition Yankee effective 11 a.m. local time.
The Coast Guard anticipates gale force winds to make landfall within 24 hours, the port is now closed to all inbound traffic.
Self propelled oceangoing vessels over 500 gross tons, oceangoing barges and their supporting tugs desiring to remain in port must have an approved Application to Remain in Port. Vessels meeting the criteria above that do not have a Coast Guard approved Application to Remain in Port must contact Sector Houston-Galveston at (713) 671-5184 immediately.
A safety zone is in effect throughout the Houston-Galveston Captain of the Port (COTP) zone to include the ports of Houston, Galveston, Freeport and Texas City. Vessels operating in these ports should be aware that their voyages may be directed by Coast Guard representatives in order to keep the port safe and secure. The Houston-Galveston COTP Zone is defined in Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 3.40-28.
Vessels, facilities, agents, and pilots shall review the appropriate portion of the Sector Houston-Galveston Port Pullout of the Storm Preparedness and Response Plan, and take appropriate actions. The Port Pullout, along with helpful storm preparation checklists, is available on Homeport at: http://homeport.uscg.mil/houstongalveston as part of the Severe Weather Port Pull-out, which can be found under the Local Contingency Plans section.
Port Condition Zulu will be set at 11 p.m., September 11, 12 hours before gale force winds are expected to make landfall in the COTP zone. VTS Houston-Galveston operations will be suspended at 5 a.m , Friday, Sept. 12.
If you have a specific issue regarding vessel movements and operations and/or their priorities, please use your Port Coordination Team Representative (PCT) to relay that concern to us; we will be using the PCT to effectively coordinate vessel movements.
Port Condition Zulu to remain in effect for the Port of Hampton Roads
PORTSMOUTH, Va. - The Coast Guard Captain of the Port of Hampton Roads has determined that Port Condition Zulu will remain in effect until further notice.
The Port of Hampton Roads will experience high winds for longer than originally anticipated. Once the heavy weather subsides, the Captain of the Port will initiate an aids- to-navigation assessment of the port and reopen it as soon as possible.
Mariners and industry officials needing amplifying information should contact the Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads Command Center at (757) 668-5580. Members of the public should call (757) 668-5617 for a recorded message with updated hurricane and maritime conditions, or visit the U.S. Coast Guard Fifth District public information website at http://hanna.uscgstormwatch.com.
When in doubt or in case of an emergency, the public is encouraged to contact Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads 24-hour emergency response center at (757) 638-6641.
Coast Guard Sector North Carolina sets Port Condition Yankee
ATLANTIC BEACH, N.C. - In preparation for the arrival of Tropical Storm Hanna, the Coast Guard in North Carolina has set port condition Yankee for the Captain of the Port zone North Carolina. This zone encompasses the ports of Wilmington and Morehead City, the Atlantic Intra Coastal Waterway and all navigable inlets and waterways.
This readiness condition is set when gale force winds, 39 to 62 mph, are expected to arrive at the port within 24 hours.
Under condition Yankee:
Ports should remove potential flying debris, hazardous materials and oil pollution hazards from dockside areas.
Coast Guard port assessment teams patrol throughout critical facilities looking for potentially high risk vessels or operations that could become a navigation hazard or environmental disaster with the passage of severe weather.
Oceangoing commercial vessels greater than 500 gross tons and all tank barges greater than 200 gross tons must prepare to depart the port.
The Coast Guard in North Carolina anticipates setting port condition Zulu for the Captain of the Port zone North Carolina at 1:00 a.m. Friday.
This readiness condition is set when gale force winds, 39 to 62 mph, are expected to arrive at the port within 12 hours.
Under Port Condition Zulu the ports of Wilmington and Morehead City, the Atlantic Intra Coastal Waterway and all navigable inlets and waterways will be closed to all vessel traffic except for vessel movements and activities specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port. This includes all recreational and commercial vessel traffic.
As Tropical Storm Hanna approaches, the Coast Guard urges people to be mindful of the following safety tips:
- Stay Informed: The public should monitor the progress and strength of Hanna through local television, radio and Internet. Boaters can monitor its progress on VHF channel 16. Information can also be obtained on small craft advisories and warnings on VHF channel 16.
- Evacuate as Necessary: If mandatory evacuations are set for an area, the public is urged to heed evacuation orders. Coast Guard personnel and other emergency responders may not be able to evacuate those in danger during the storm.
- Secure your Belongings: Owners of larger boats are urged to move their boats 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, life jackets and small boats.
- Be Cautious of Hazardous Materials: If you have hazardous materials on or near the water you are responsible for any spills that may occur. Take the necessary precautions to secure them prior to any foul weather.
- Stay Clear of Beaches: Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents caused by Hanna. Swimmers are urged to stay clear of beaches until local officials say the water is safe.
Mariners are reminded that drawbridges along the coast may deviate from normal operating procedures prior to a storm. They are generally authorized to remain closed up to eight hours prior to the approach of gale force winds of 34 knots or greater, and whenever an evacuation is ordered. Because of the uncertainty of weather movements and related bridge closures, mariners should seek early passage through drawbridges well in advance of the arrival of gale force winds.
When in doubt or in case of an emergency the public is encouraged to contact Coast Guard Sector North Carolina’s 24 hour emergency response center at: (252) 247-4570.
For more information on the storm, visit the National Hurricane Center Web site http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/