PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) North Carolina has set Port Condition X-ray for Morehead City and Modified Port Condition Whiskey for Wilmington in preparation for the anticipated weather impact of Tropical Storm Arthur.
Port Condition X-Ray means pleasure craft are advised to seek safe harbor. Also for commercial vessels that intend to enter, transit, or remain within the Port of Morehead City, they must comply with the following requirements:
- All self-propelled oceangoing vessels over 500 gross-tons, all oceangoing barges and their supporting tugs and all tank barges over 200 gross-tons intending to depart the port must schedule departure to clear the sea buoy at least 12 hours prior to the expected arrival of sustained gale force winds associated with tropical cyclone activity (34 knots or 39 mph) at Frying Pan Shoals Lighted Buoy 16 (A15).
- All self-propelled oceangoing vessels over 500 gross-tons, all oceangoing barges and their supporting tugs, and all tank barges over 200 gross-tons are expected to be finalizing preparations for departure during the next 24 hours unless they intend to stay in port and have notified the COTP of such intention and have submitted a “Remaining in Port Checklist” for approval by the COTP.
Mariners are also advised that drawbridges will remain closed when wind speeds are 34 knots or greater or once evacuations begin. Because of the uncertainty of weather movements and related bridge closures, mariners are urged to seek passage through drawbridges well in advance of the arrival of gale force winds.
Vessels bound for these ports that are unable to depart 12 hours prior to the arrival of sustained gale force winds at Frying Pan Shoals Lighted Buoy 16 (A15) are advised to seek an alternative destination.
Modified Whiskey means Gale Force winds (34 knots or 39 mph) are expected to reach Frying Pan Shoals Lighted Buoy 16 (A15) within 48 hours. Pleasure craft are advised to seek safe harbor.
All vessels are advised to use caution when transiting the area. Vessels at anchor or moorings should prepare for heavy weather accordingly and be ready to set Port Condition X-Ray in a reduced timeframe if weather conditions deteriorate.
For updated COTP information for ports in North Carolina, please visit: http://ift.tt/1vxUdi3.
For information on how to prepare your boat or trailer for a hurricane, please visit http://ift.tt/
For information on Tropical Storm Arthur’s progress and hurricane preparedness, please visit the National Hurricane Center’s Web page at http://ift.tt/riqYHz.
Visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s site to stay informed and for tips to prepare and plan for the storm at http://www.ready.gov/.
The Coast Guard requests that the public listen to weather information available from other sources and not call the Coast Guard for weather information.
For additional information on the storm, visit the National Hurricane Center website http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.
