Coast Guard reopens East Coast ports

5th Coast Guard District NewsPORTSMOUTH, Va. – The Coast Guard has reopened all ports along the East Coast Monday as waterway assessments and verification of aids to navigation continue after Hurricane Irene caused major disruptions to the maritime transportation system.

Although all ports are open, several restrictions remain in place, including restrictions in the ports of New York and Hampton Roads, Va.

“The Coast Guard is conducting waterway assessments along with the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and port stakeholders, verifying aids to navigation and reopening the ports along the East Coast,” said Vice Adm. Robert Parker, Coast Guard Atlantic Area commander.  “Returning the East Coast maritime transportation system to a state of normalcy is imperative to the nation’s economy and continues to be a high priority.”

Mariners are reminded to proceed with caution because of potential off-station aids to navigation as well as debris associated with Irene.

Recreational boaters are encouraged to stay off the water until all aids to navigation are verified and tides and debris volume return to normal levels.  For updates on port conditions, visit the Coast Guard’s Homeport site at http://homeport.uscg.mil/mycg/portal/ep/home.do.view.


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