SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The Coast Guard Sector San Juan Captain of the Port, Capt. Eduardo Pino, has set Port Condition ZULU at 8 a.m. Monday for all the ports in the U.S. Virgin Islands and 10 a.m. Monday for the eastern ports of Puerto Rico, due to the expectation that gale force winds generated by Hurricane Earl are expected to arrive within 12 hours.
During Port Condition ZULU, the ports of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the port of Vieques, Culebra, Fajardo, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, will remain closed to all incoming and outgoing vessel traffic until directed by the Captain of the Port.
All intra-island ferries in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands transiting ports under Port Condition ZULU must cease operations and be secured at their designated mooring facility when Port Condition ZULU is in place for their respective port.
The Captain has set Port Condition YANKEE at 10 a.m. Monday for the port of Yabucoa, Puerto Rico and he anticipates setting Port Condition ZULU at 2p.m. Monday.
All other ports in Puerto Rico will remain at Port Condition X-RAY until further notice.
Future port conditions cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty, but provided the storm remains on the projected course and track, port stakeholders can expect the established progression of port conditions.
Owners and operators of recreational vessels should follow the small craft advisories from the National Weather Service, and take the necessary measures to safeguard the safety of their vessels.